Scientific American Volume 48 Number 08 (February 1883)

[Entered at the Post Office of New York. N. Y., as Second Class Matter.]

A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION. ART. SCIENCE, MECHANICS. CHEMISTRY AND MANUFACTURES.

Vol. XL VIII.— No. 8.1

[NEW sebies.]

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 24, 1883.

r$3.20 per Annum.

L [postage prepaid.]

APPARATUS FOB COALING SHIPS.

In the ports of England the loading of ships with coal is
generally effected in 1 the following manner: The car coming
from the mines is hauled to the upper part of a trestle-work,
the bottom of the car is opened, the coal falls into a hopper,
follows an inclined chute as far as the hatch wayr-aurLfrcurL-
there is thrown into the hold. This mode of loading is very
rapid and very economical, the only disadvantage that it pre-
sents being that large coal, on falling into the hold from the
end of the chute, breaks into small fragments. To obviate
such a disadvantage, Mr. James Rigg has invented and con-
structed, in his works at Chester, an apparatus which is
shown in three annexed figures, and which constitutes a sys-
tem that can be employed not only for the loading of coal,
but also for letting down to the bottom of the hold bricks,
stones, salt, etc.

One of the figures gives a general view of the apparatus
arranged in the interior of a ship's hull ; and from the other

MACHINE FOE EXCAVATING THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

An interesting lecture was lately delivered at the conver-
sazione held at Leeds during the meeting of the Institution
of Mechanical Engineers, by Mr. Crampton, in which he
described his proposed method of executing the work of bor-
ing the Channel tunnel. We condense the following from
the lecture :

The tunnel is assumed to be twenty miles long, independ-
ent of approaches on either side, to be excavated 36 feet in
diameter in one operation, which, with an internal lining of
3 feet all round, will leave a clear tunnel 30 feet in diame-
ter; and that the work will be commenced simultaneously at
both ends. It follows, therefore, since the approaches may
be made at the same time as the main tunnel, that we need
only consider here a' length of ten milesof excavation worked
from one face.

Practical trials in chalk made with machines many years
since, established the fact that a rate of advance may be easily

,.\*«w.w

IMPROVED ELEVATORS FOR LOADING SHIPS WITH COAL BALLAST, ETC.

two figures may be seen how it operates when the loading
begins and the hull is still empty, and when, the hull being
nearly filled, the operation is aboutended. Asmay be easily
seen from these cuts, the apparatus is exceedingly simple, con-
sisting of an endless chain provided with buckets, and run-
ning around a vertical bucket frame. At the upper part there
is a wooden frame, to which is fixed the head of the bucket
frame, and which is laid across the hatchway. The weight
alone of the materals is utilized to cause the working of the
endless chain, without the
necessity of having recourse
to a motor. The bucket
frame is raised or lowered ac-
cording to needs, either by
the aid of a pulley installed
in the masting, or by means
of a small windlass fixed upon
the frame. The buckets, in
their descent, pass in front of
an open hopper, where they
become filled, and empty
themselves only at the mo-
ment at which they are re-
volving over the lower drum
at the extremity of the bucket
frame.

In order to regulate the de-
scent and prevent its taking
place too rapidly, a brake is
fixed on the upper frame, and
serves to actuate a vertical
shaft that acts upon the axle
of the upper drum by means
of a cone wheel. The verti-
cal shaft, which descends

nearly to the base of the bucket frame, is provided with a
groove throughout its entire length, in order that the action
of the brake may occur, whatever be the position of the
bucket frame. Mr. Rigg's apparatus is constructed almost
wholly of steel, thus causing it to be very light, while having
all the strength necessary.

It is very portable, and, in the different applications that
have been made of it, its working has left nothing to be
desired. .

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOB THE SUBMAEINE TUNNEL BETWEEN PRANCE AND ENGLAND,

maintained of one yard per hour, or twenty-four yards per
day, at which rate the work of excavating ten miles of tun-
nel would take two and a half years to accomplish, taking
the year at 300 working days. With the simple apparatus
on the table, as much as five yards forward per hour has been
cut 12 inches in diameter. The advance of one yard forward
per hour in a 36 foot tunnel will necessitate the removal of
113 cubic yards of chalk per hour. In order to insure the
due performance of the necessary work, I will add fifty per

cent to the figures here given,
and shall henceforth deal
•with other items in the same
proportion. We have to pro-
vide, then, for the removal of
170 cubic yards of debris per
Iiour, equal in weight to 250
tons, a greater quantity than
is lifted in two of our greatest
. collieries together in the same
time.

Near the mouth of the up-
right shaft powerful machin-
ery will be erected to pump
water from the sea, to press
it up, and hold it under com-
pression by means of force
pumps and accumulators.
The water will be compressed
on the top to 512 pounds per
square inch, the fall through
400 feet from the sea will add
another 1 88 pounds per square
inch, producing thus at the
bottom of the shaft TOO
(Continued on page 116.)

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

112

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[February 24, 18S3.

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NEW YORK, SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 24, 1883.

Contents.

(Illustrated articles are marked with an asterisk.)

.flloMan harp, the* 119

American fruit for England 121

Ancient mode of baking walls .. 117
Arcb.8301. discovery in Asia Minor 121
Awards for invents to workmen 121

Bag and twine holder, new* 118

Baking walls, ancient mode 117

Birds and telegraph wires 121

Beebe's thill coupling* 114

Bulbs, treatment of 113

Channel Tunnel, excavating Ill

Coaling ships. apparatus- f or*. .... Ill

Consumption of wood 120

Cure for "spinning " 114

Disinfection of tubercle 119

Effects of iron on digestion 121

Electromotive torch, an 116

Elevators for loading ships* Ill

Engineering inventions 122

Falsification of brandy 117

Floral decorations 115

Flying bird, the largest 117

Forfeiture of patent rights 112

Gas burner, novel 120

Great wall of China 115

Harness loop, improved* 121

Hemlock bark 116

Horn and its uses 117

How to help a man who swears off 115

Ice plant, the 120

Inventions, mechanical 122

Imoroved thill coupling*.. 114

Incan. elec. light, inventor of 114

'• Indian holes " on Lake George. 117

Kircher's seolian harp* 119

Lantern illumination* 118

Latest electrical discovery 1 21

Living germs in water, test for. . 115

Mechanical inventions 122

Music in Japan, progress of 112

New bag and twine holder* 118

New inventions, index to 123

New key fastener* 114

Newmoxa, a 115

Niagaraice bridge 119

Oxyhydrogen burner improved*. 118

l J apier mache process, imp 119

Photo, of comet's tail and: stars . 113

Photographing speech 120

Preservation of butter 113

Preserving railway ties 116

Progress of music in Japan 112

Ready made house industry.. ..116

Refining shellac 118

Seed sower, improved* 115

Soda manufacture.improvement. 121

Spencer B. Driggs 121

St. Gothard railway, the 1 18

Stopping engines by electricity. . 120

Substances in amalgamating 120

Transporting live fish, car — 150

Treatment of bulbs 113

Torsion tests of cast steel 112

Vegetable substitute for rennet. 114

Water increase for N. Y.city 112

Water power of North Carolina. . 115

Zebra wolf, the 113

Yankee, the, in the South 114

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF

THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT

3STo. 373,

For the Week ending February 24, 18S3.

Price 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers

page

I. ENGINEERING AND MECHANICS.-The Morris Canal and its

Inclined Planes. By Herbert M. Wilson, C.E.— History of the
M orris Canal.— Construction service. — Expenses, etc.— 5 figures.—

Inclined planes at Bloomfleld, N. J 5943

Hydraulic Machinery. By Professor Perrt.— 15 figures 5944

Recent Important Engineering Works. My JAMES Brunlees.—
Forth Bridge.— Tay Bridge.— Kinzua Viaduct.— St. Gothard, Hud-
son River, English Channel, and other great tunnels.— Panama
Caiml.— Hull docks.— Port Elizabeth Harbor.— Railway construc-
tion, etc 5948

Matthey's Horograph for schools.— 1 figure 5949

II. TECHNOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY,-New Process of Greening
Canned Vegetables 5949

M orris' Bleaching Apparatus.— 1 figure 5949

Enlargements on Gelatine Plates 5950

Reversed Negatives by Contact Printing. . . ; 5951

Photography by Machinery 5951

Manufacture of Photo. Plates 5951

The Chemistry of Hops. By R. L. SIMMONS 5953

Schorm's Extractor. — 1 figure 5953

Analysis of Australian Guano. By A. B.GRIFFITHS 5953

Indelible stamping Ink 5953

Rupert's Drops. By I. TAYLOR 5953

Oil on Troubled Waters 5955

Lithium 5952

III. HYGIENE, MEDICINE, ETC.— Cancer and Alluvial Soil 5954

Lead Poisoning in Dressmaking. 5954

Iodoformin Diphtheria 5954

A Festival Eighty Years Ago.— Aged people at dinner 5955

IV. NATURAL HISTORY, ETC. -Where the Rat is Welcomed.. 5954

The Poultry and Egg Trade of Europe and the United States.—
Egg imports of Great Britain.— Poultry and egg industry of France.
— Profits of poultry raising. — Poultry and egg industry of Eng-
land.— American chickens and turkeys for Europe 5954

Progress of Life on the Earth 5955

Vitality of Insects in Gases 5955

Ancient Bird Tracks in Connecticut Sandstone.— New discoveries 5956

Remains of Extinct Mammalia Pound in London.— 25 figures 5956

Pern^ttyas.— 2 figures (f 3 . foribvimia) 5957

Lilies and their Culture.— Endicott's essay before the Mass. Hor-
ticultural Society, and discussion 5957

A Trial of Tomatoes 5958

Effect of Air on Seeds 5958

V. ELECTRICITY, ETC.— New Photo Electric Battery. ...". 5950

Long Distance Telephony and Bennett's Telephonic Translators. 5951
On the Thermic Phenomena of the Electric Spark. By A.

Naccari 5952

The Magnetic Music Teacher.— 2 figures 5952

VI. ARCHITECTURE, ART, ETC.— The Woodlands, Gildersome,
Leeds —1 illustration.— Suggestions in architecture 5950

PROJECTS F0K INCREASING THE WATER SUPPLY OF
NEW YORK CITY.

A committee has been holding daily sessions to consider
projects and receive suggestions relating to an increase in
the water supply of this city. It is admitted that the need
of such an increase is urgent. The largest capacity of the
present Croton aqueduct is 100,000,000 gallons a day, and
this at a pressure that seriously imperils the integrity of the
structure. The engineers in charge agree that the aqueduct
ought not to be made to carry more than 72,000,000 gallons
a day. The present storage capacity is about 9,000,000,000
gallons. The Bronx River aqueduct, to be completed next
year, will increase the supply about 20,000,000 gallons a
day. A large proportion of the present supply is wasted.
Mr. John C. Campbell, formerly chief engineer of the Cio-
ton aqueduct, estimates the waste at "about 50 per cent of
the entire amount of the water furnished by the aqueduct";
this partly through the carelessness of consumers, but largely
through leakage from the water-mains.

Could all the waste be prevented, the supply already pro-
vided might answer for the present, but it would soon
become inadequate through tlie natural growth of the city.
If the city increases during the next quarter century as
it has during the past twenty-five years, there will be
needed from 250,000,000 to 300,000,000 gallons of water a
day. The question is, how can the requisite provision be
made, not merely for the immediate future, but, if possible,
for centuries to come 1

The Department of Public Works is in favor of building
a dam at Quaker Bridge, six miles below the Croton dam,
to retain the water which now flows over the latter in sea-
sons of abundance, with a new aqueduct to deliver the
water thus saved. The supply of the Croton watershed, it
is claimed, is sufficient for a population of 5,000,000.

To this plan it is objected that the proposed dam would
have to be larger and higher than anything of the kind
before attempted, and possibly hazardous, and that the
Croton region is becoming so populous that the sources of
contamination must soon become so numerous as to seri-
ously injure the quality of the water supply from that
valley .

Other plans for the better husbanding of the waters of the
Croton region contemplate the damming of the east branch
of the Croton, by which means, it is claimed, additional
storage can be provided for 4,000,000,000 gallons. The
amount of water flowing from the Croton watershed varies
from 250,000,000 to 600,000 gallons a day.

To lessen the demand for Croton water, it is proposed to
supplement the fresh water supply with salt water drawn
from the adjacent rivers, for the use of the fire department,
for flushing the streets and water-closets, for water power,
and SO on. This to be d'one either by cJirect pumping under
the Holly system, or by a reservoir system. One engineer
proposes a huge water tower in the middle part of the city
below Central Park, the tower to be 100 feet in diameter and
350 feec high above tide water. On the top of this tower
he would place a reservoir holding 2,000,000 gallons, to be
pumped up from the river.

These methods would involve a new set of water mains
and pipes, to cost, according to the estimates of Mr. Isaac
Newton, chief engineer of the Croton aqueduct, more than
would be required to furnish the city with the requisite
additional supply of fresh water.

Another plan of drawing upon the Hudson River contem.
plates a pumping station above Poughkeepsie, the water to
be brought in an open canal, or through pipes, to this city.
This plan would necessitate the lifting of the water at both
ends of the aqueduct, which would be expensive, and the
propriety of drawing water from a river which has received
the sewage of large cities like Troy, Albany, Hudson, and
the rest, would be extremely questionable.

Other schemers propose to go still farther up the Hudson,
to its upper reaches in the Adirondack region, or to Lake
George, a distance of nearly two hundred miles, the water
to be conveyed part of the way in an open channel, the rest
in closed pipes. The supply is vast, the water of the highest
purity, and all the cities along the Hudson River could be
provided for in one scheme. The project is a gigantic one,
and not likely to be seriously undertaken for many years,
if ever.

Two other general sources of fresh water are under con-
sideration. The Housatonic River might be dammed near
Falls Village, Connecticut, and the water brought by open
canal and tunnel into the Croton valley, a distance of forty
miles. This is a project of Mr. Allen Campbell, formerly
Commissioner of Public Works. The estimated cost of sup-
plementing the Croton valley supply, in this way, is about
$2,000,000. To this would have to be added the cost of a
new aqueduct from Croton to the city, which might better
be used_ in bringing to us the Croton water now allowed to
run to waste.

The proposed sources west of the Hudson are the Hack-
ensack, Ramapo, and Passaic rivers of New Jersey, and the
lakes of Orange and Rockland counties, New York.

To draw from either of the New Jersey rivers would in_
volve the passage of the Hudson, and either tunnels through
the Palisades or costly pumping works to carry the water
over tbem. These sources are open to the further objection
that all the available water on that side of the Hudson will
be needed, sooner or later, for the numerous populous
cities growing there.

The lake region of Orange and Rockland counties is
scarcely better fitted for the supplying of New York. In '

that territory are ten lakes, with a storage capacity of
8,500,000,000 gallons, available sites for ten artificial reser-
voirs, and adjacent lakes and watersheds capable of yield-
ing 100,000,000 gallons a day, 300 feet above the tide level.
But they are on the wrong side of the Hudson Ifiver.

o i » i »»

TORSION TESTS* OF CAST STEEL.

Some very careful tests have been recently made, to ascer-
tain the relative resistance to torsion of tool cast steel in its
unannealed form, as it comes from the manufacturer and is
cut off the bar; in its annealed condition; and as hardened
for tool purposes to be used on iron, as taps, reamers, drills,
and similar tools that are worked by torsion.

It is not generally supposed that hardening and temper-
ing cast steel increases its torsional resistance: on the con-
trary it is usually accepted that resistance to torsion depends
mainly on toughness — the coherence of fibers when twisted
— and that this toughness is much diminished by the pro-
cess of hardening. But in the tests to which reference has
been made, from a number of different manufacturers, the
specimens that showed the least torsional slrength, when
hardened, were yet one and a half times stronger, or resistant
to twisting, than unannealed specimens from tbesame brand.
To be more exact, the figures for the unannealed were
5,114, the annealed 5,166, and the hardened 7,596, being an
increase in torsional strength d£ the hardened and tempered
specimens over the annealed and the unannealed of more
than 33 per cent. Other specimens — those of different
brands — showed a still wider difference between unannealed
and hardened conditions: as of 5,010 unannealed, and 8,418
hardened; 5,346 against 8,814; 5,124 against 7,920; and of
5,100 against 8,232. These figures may represent pounds,
as they actually did in the tests, the pieces tested being of
round steel minus five-eighths of an inch diameter, with a
distance between shoulders of two and three eighths inches.
The hardened specimens had been hardened and then drawn
to a straw color, leaving them as hard as any tempered tool
used for working metals, and inferior only to the file, which
is not tempered, or drawn, at all.

One of the peculiarities of the tests was that so slight a
difference existed between the torsional strength of unan-
nealed steel and that which had been carefully annealed
twenty-four hours, the results showing slightly in favor of
the specimens tested as cut directly from the bar. The fol-
lowing shows the comparison:

Unannealed 5,514 5,010 5,346 5,124 5,100

Annealed 5,166 4,572 4,864 4,128 4,552

From this it appears that no increase of toughness, or of
resistance to torsion, comes from annealing cast steel. But
annealing is valuable in rendering the steel more amenable
to the action of the cutting tool.

PROGRESS OF MUSIC IN JAPAN.

An interesting reception was given at the New England
Conservatory of Music, Boston, Feb. 6, to Prof. Luther Whit-
ing Mason, on his return from a three years' absence in charge
of themusic in the public schools of the Japanese Empire

At the time of our Centennial Exhibition in 1876, the com-
missioner from Japan was impressed by the manner in which
music was taught in the Boston public schools, and his recom-
mendations led to the calling of Prof. Mason to take charge
of the musical instruction given in the schools of the Empire.
Prof. Mason had not only to introduce new methods of teach-
ing, but a new order of music, and his success speaks well
not only for his methods but for the tolerance and teachable-
ness of the Japanese people, to whom he is about to return.
At the reception he explained the development of his method
of teaching Japanese children, and exhibited a number of
beautiful gifts he bad received from the Empress and other
people of distinction in Japan. Professor Mason carries
back with him as a personal gift to the Empress a handsome
crystal vase on which is engraved her portrait. The engrav-
ing was done in Munich, and is a fine example of the
highest style of the art.

« in »

SHALL FAILURE TO DEVELOP FORFEIT PATENT RIGHTS ?
- It is not an infrequent occurrence for individuals and
corporations having large sums invested in patented ma
chines and processes to take out or purchase rival inventions
for the purpose of preventing their development. Where a
change of plant would entail a heavy loss, the manufactu.
rer naturally prefers to go on in the old way. He does not
want to risk making a bankrupt of himself to introduce im-
provements for the benefit of others. Accordingly, if he
sees where a radical improvement can be made in his work
he obtains a patent for it, if be can, and thus forestalls a
possible rival. Or, if another man makes an invention
which, if put into use, would compel the established manu-
facturer to adopt it to his temporary or permanent loss, or
else retire from the competition, the manufacturer is bound
to suppress the rising tyrant if he can. Probably three
manufacturers out of every five are owners of patents which
they have thus taken out or purchased for their own finan-
cial protection.

Occasionally the suppressed inventions are big with pro-
mise of benefit to the world, and it is something of a hard-
ship to the public to see the dog-in the-manger policy pur-
sued with regard to them. Of this nature are some of the
undeveloped patents for improvements in steel making con-
trolled by the Bessemer Steel Organization.

To prevent such practices a bill has been prepared to be
submitted to Congress, with a view to legislative action to

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

Scientific Smmow>

113

break down (in specified cases) the exclusive monopoly en-
joyed by patentees. Tbe proposed law provides :

"1. That all associations or combinations, either of natu-
ral persons or incorporated companies, formed for the pur-
pose of purchasing a patent or patents for any process of re-
ducing iron ore to steel or iron, with the intention of with-
holding the use thereof from fhe public or from individuals
or associations desiring to use the same, are hereby declared
to be unlawful, and any purchase or attempted purchase of
any such patented process by any such association or com-
bination for the purpose or with the intention of preventing
the use of the same, shall be construed to be an abandonment
to the public at large of all exclusive rights under any such
patent.

"2. That where any person, association, or incorporated
company shall own, or claim to own, any patented process
for reducing iron ore to steel or iron, such owner or claim-
ant is hereby required to issue license to use such patent pro-
cess to any person, association, or corporation who ma)' de-
sire to use the same in the manufacture of iron or steel.
Said license, shall be granted upon such terms as may be-just
and reasonable, to be agreed upon, if practicable, with the
owners thereof. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be made,
the person or association desiring to use said patented pro-
cess as above set forth, is thereby authorized to apply to any
Circuit Court or District Court of the United States where
the owner of said patent or any of them resides, or may be
served with process, to have (he value of such license ascer-
tained by commissioners to be appointed by said court or by
empaneling a jury, as either party may elect, to ascertain
the value thereof. Such proceedings shall, as near as prac-
ticable, conform to the proceedings for the appropriation of
private property for public use as are prescribed by the laws
of the State wherein the proceedings hereby authorized shall
take place.

"When the value of such license thus applied for shall have
been ascertained, as herein provided, the court in which
such proceedings are conducted shall enter a decree or judg-
ment setting forth the same, and shall direct the manner in
which payment for said license shall be made, and shall
make such further order in the proceedings as shall duly
protect tbe rights of all the parties thereto. As soon as the
party applying for said license shall comply with the orders
of the court, he shall be entitled to use said patent process in
accordance with said judgment or decree.

" 3. Jurisdiction to conduct the foregoing proceedings is
hereby conferred upon all circuit and district courts of the
United States."

This is a new phase of an old scheme, and, as usual, one
palpable, though comparatively small, wrong is made a pre-
text for legislative action calculated to introduce or open the
door for vastly greater wrongs.

Grant that it is an injury to the community to delay or
willfully prevent the development of a new and useful inven-
tion. Grant that the proposed law would tend to prevent
such delays. Has Congress the right to prevent such wrongs
Jn the manner prescribed ? Would it be good policy to
remedy the evil in that way, the right being clear ?

While Congress is constitutionally authorized to shorten
or lengthen the lifetime of patents for invention, or to abolish
the patent system entirely, the Constitution gives it no author-
ity to provide for the issuing of letters patent for other than
the exclusive right to make, vend, and use the thing or pro-
cess patented. If Congress can make void one class of
legally-issued patents for the specified reason, why not all
patents that may be withheld from use ? If Congress can
compel one class of patentees to issue licenses, why not all
patentees ? By what authority is Congress to enact a special
law, a law applicable only to makers of iron and steel ?

The trouble with those who desire legislation of this sort
arises from the narrowness of their view. Their selfishness
is too short-sighted to be wise.

It is obviously a misfortune to have a useful invention
withheld for seventeen years ; but tbe misfortune would be
vastly greater if the invention were to be absolutely sup-
pressed, kept secret by the inventor to die with him; and
greater still if inventors were debarred or discouraged, as they
would be under such a law, from trying to make " new and
useful inventions."

Seventeen years is but a little time compared with the life
of the nation. It is unquestionably desirable that all novel
ideas shall be immediately worked out as factors of indus-
trial progress; but tbe country can better afford to wait a
few years for their development than to hurry them by
means calculated to hazard their very existence.

The patent system is designed not for the rewarding of
inventors, but for the advancement of the useful arts and
sciences. That advancement is to be secured primarily by
the immediate registration and publication of novel ideas to
serve immediately or remotely forthe instruction and guid-
ance of all workers in arts to which the new ideas are help-
ful; secondarily, by giving the patentee a temporary control
of his invention, to incite him to make greater efforts and
to justify larger expenditures to hasten the practical de-
velopment of his invention. If the latter incentive fails,
and the invention remains unimproved for the full term of
the patent, the public is still the gainer. The disadvantages
attending the occasional willful holding of a patented inven-
tion in abeyance are vastly more than overbalanced by the
advantages which flow from the prompt admission of new
ideas into the world of creative thought; and ultimately the
public enjoys the full and free use of the invention specified.
Further, the disadvantages chargeable to patents temporarily

withheld from use are out of comparison with those which
would certainly result from an invasion of the patentee's ex-
clusive control of his invention during the lifetime of his
patent. The proposed law would at once destroy a large
part of the incentive to invention which the patent laws now
hold out, and at the same time a large part of the patentee's
inducement to spend the money necessary to develop and
perfect his invention. Under a license system the inventor's
rivals would share all the advantages of his success without
having shared any of the preliminary risks and expendi-
tures.

<m» — ■ ■

THE ZEBRA WOLF.

BY IB. G. A. STOCKWEL1.

Of all the mammalia, none possess so much that is interest-
ing and peculiar as the so-called marsupials or pouched ani-
mals; and excepting the opossums, strange to say, this class
is confined exclusively to Australia, Tasmania, and the isles
of the Papuan group. With kangaroos, petauristes, wom-
bats, and ''ursine devils," we are more or less familiar,
through the mediumship of zoological gardens, traveling
menageries, and the writings of accredited travelers; but
the Tasmanian or zebra wolf is almost unknown, and so far
as the writer has been able to discover has been exhibited in
captivity only in a single instance. Two specimens were ob-
tained by the Royal Zoological Gardens of London, England,
but quickly died, pining away through confinement, and, per-
haps, disease brought on by a two months' sea voyage and
change in climate.

The peculiar modification of the nutrient organs that has
given rise to the title marsupial (from marsupium, a pouch),
is the peculiar sac provided the females for the protection
of their immature young. This is developed in a greater or
less degree in each species, but may easily be studied in our
common or Virginian opossum, whose chief place in the
world seems to be to provide Sambo or Cuffy the material
for a Christmas dinner, peculiarly his own. Mind you, I do
not decry its edible qualities, but would merely suggest its
being far more interesting under the dissecting knife than at
the festal board. Examination reveals the pouch'to be sup-
ported by two elongated bones that project, or are rather
prolonged, from the crest of the hip, and which lie just be-
neath the skin and in the same general plane with the back;
and within this pouch are concealed the breasts or
mammae.

When the young marsupial is first ushered into the world
it is a tiny and helpless being, of such minute size as to be
out of all proportion to its parent; even the young of the
bush kangaroo, an animal nearly or quite as large as our
common deer, being scarcely larger than newly born rats; and
they are blind, naked, and evenincapableof voluntary move-
ment. As quickly as "born the youngling is seized by the
lips of the mother and at once conveyed to the interior of
her pouch, meantime held open for its reception by her fore-
paws, and placed upon the breast, to which it at once clings
instinctively, not again releasing its hold until of consider-
able size and capable of voluntary exertion— a matter of
weeks, sometimes months. Once so placed, the little one
demands little attention, and to all intents and purposes is as
much a part of its parent as during the period of gestation.
It would seem to be incapable of again letting go its hold, as
the muscles of the mouth at once contract so strongly about
the bulbous portion of the nipple that even in death separa-
tion is effected only with some difficulty.

1 have said that the wee marsupial is incapable of volun-
tary movement. This is so much the case that it has not the
power to draw the nourishment from the maternal fount, or
even swallow when once its mouth is filled; consequently, the
mother is provided with a supernumerary muscle that, passing
over the glands, compresses them at her will, forcing the
milk directly into the little one's stomach, and at this time,
too, Nature has wisely provided to prevent strangulation
by elongating the larynx or windpipe to the nasal cavity, so
that it is joined to and forms at once a part of the nostrils
themselves, thus allowing breathing and feeding to go on
simultaneously. When able to feed itself, this prolongation
is gradually absorbed. As the youngster now approaches
his more perfect form, his eyes are loosened from their bands
and the tender skin is covered with a coat of hair, and he
begins to act more like the offspring of other animals. Now
his mouth is under control, and he can release himself and
feed at will; andiu the spirit of curiosity frequently puts his
head out from the sheltering pannier to survey the surround-
ing world; and finally ventures therefrom in search of more
solid food than that to which he has been accustomed,
though still retaining the pouch as refuge when fatigued or
shelter when threatened with danger. With some animals
it is no uncommon affair to find young of different ages oc-
cupying the pouch at the same time — some almost ready to
be emancipated, the others weak and imperfect creatures
of recent birth.

It is strange that all the mammals of Australasia are marsu-
pials, from the pygmy pitaroo and the haunting phalangers
up to the giant kangaroo. To the same class belongs the
zebra or Tasmanian wolf, an animal far the most formidable,
as it certainly is the most savage of indigenous quadrupeds.
Too feeble and cowardly to successfully attack man, it is,
nevertheless a terrible pest, committing serious ravages
among all other creatures, irrespective of form or habits of
life, the wombat alone excepted. No matter how hungry he
may be, he will not touch this fat and sluggish marsu-
pial, though, as it subsists on fruit alone, it would seem to
be most edible. By no means swift or agile, and sneaking

and crawling in habits, the zebra wolf nevertheless manages
to kill the kangaroo in defiance of its boasted leaping pow-
ers and powerful claws of its hind feet, and to secure the
ornitborynchus, or common duck bill, in spite of its subter-
ranean burrows and natatory habits. It does not even hesitate
to seize upon and devour the prickly echidna, a much more
formidable mouthful than any porcupine; and even prowls
the sea shore searching for food among the heterogeneous
masses flung up by the waves, renewed or added to. by each
succeeding tide. Shore crabs, which dot the beach in num-
bers after every flood, are caught with no little dexterity, and
mussels and limpets are readily detached from the rocks,
while the carcass of a seal or fish, or the body of a wild fowl,
no matter how oily or fishy, serves as a tidbit. As quickly,
however, had civilized man taken up his abode in Tasmania,
the wolf became an object of dread, as poultry and domestic
animals were never safe from its attacks. Tbe sheep es-
pecially became the objects of the settler's anxious care, for
no sooner were they introduced than a most unmistakable
appetite was developed for mutton, seeming])' preferring the
flesh of that useful and easily mastered animal to that of any
kangaroo, however venison-like, or bandicoot, howsoever
savory.

In size this wolf approaches a large setter or Newfound-
land dog, averaging perhaps a little more than five feet in
length from snout to tip of tail, the latter appendage claim-
ing a little more than one-third of the measurement; but
specimens are sometimes killed that exceed this by half a
yard; at the shoulders it is some twenty or twenty-two
inches in height. The feet are protected on their bottoms by
rough pads, and. the toes, of which there are five on the
fore feet and but four on the hinder ones, are all armed
with short, straight, powerful claws. The head is very like
that of a dog, the muzzle being long, narrow, and pointed,
with a white, grizzled upper lip, sparsely sprinkled with a
few black hairs, a few of which also ornament the cheeks
and ridges above the eyes. The ears are sharp, pointed,
erect, very broad at their base, and covered with hair both
without and within; while the eyes are sharp, full, and black,
and protected with a false or nictitating membrane like the
owl, to shut out the unwelcome light of the sun, for it is
nocturnal in habits, rarely venturing out during the day,
but hiding in the recesses of the rocks among which it
chiefly dwells. Of a general grayish-brown hue, mixed with
yellow, banded above with a series of black stripes, which
beginning at the shoulder diversifies the whole back to the
tail, gradually increasing in length on the haunches and pro-
longed on to the thighs, it is this marking which gives rise
to its many names of zebra, hyena, and tiger wolf.

There are several reasons why the animal is seldom exhi-
bited in captivity. First, they are exceedingly sly and wary,
and are hidden in dens most difficult of access, where day-
light seldom penetrates, and where the female brings forth
her young, four at a litter, remaining with them and supplied
with food by her spouse until they are able to care for
themselves. Second, when brought to bay by dogs, they
fight with incredible fury, and yield only when torn in
pieces. Again, the hatred of the settlers is so intense, that
scarce any reward is sufficient to purchase the life of a cap-
tured animal. *

Formerly they were quite prevalent in Tasmania; they
would seem never to have been known on the continent of
Australia, but by degrees the guns, traps, and poisoned
baits of the settlers have prevailed, stimulated perhaps by
the bounties offered; and the war of extermination has
waged so fiercely, that the wolves have been driven from
the haunts that once knew them, the few survivors being
confined to the wildest and most inaccessible regions of the
Humboldt Mountains and Hampshire Hills.

^ ' « 1 »■

Preservation of Butter.

Dr. W. Hagemann has observed that cow butter contains
0'5 to 0'6 per cent of milk sugar, which under the influence
of bacteria is transformed into lactic acid, and this liberates
from the glycerides the acid, containing less carbon. It is
obvious from this that summer butter becomes rancid more
rapidly and strongly than winter butter, and that for the pre-
servation of butter two methods may be adopted, viz., either
the lower fat acids are removed by soda solution, as proposed
by Adolf Mayer and Dr. Clausnitzer, or else the milk-sugar
must be removed, or its decomposition prevented by sup.
pressing the vegetation of the bacteria. — Ghem. Ztg.

■ ■»<« > ».

Treatment of Bulbs.

An ounce of nitrate of soda dissolved in four gallons of wate r
is said to be a quick and good stimulant for bulbs to be applied
twice a week after the pots are filled with roots and the
flower spikes are fairly visible. A large handful of soot, or
about a pint, tied up in a piece of old canvas and immersed
in the same quantity of water for a day or two, will give
you a safe and excellent stimulant; also good and safe is a
quarter of a pound of fresh cow-dung mixed in a large gar-
den pot of water and used as required. Any of these stimu-
lants will do good, a* the whole of them applied alternately
will benefit bulbs that need more sustenance than the soil
affords.

Photograph of Comet's Tall and Stars.

Dr. Gill, at the Cape of Good Hope, succeeded in photo-
graphing- the comet's tail and with it fifty stars that were
seen through the tail. The plate was exposed 140 minutes,
and was kept up to the motion of the earth by clockwork.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

H4

Sf txtntxiu %mtxum.

[February 24, 1883.

NEW KEY FASTENEB.

The engraving shows a novel lock escutcheon, hy which
the key may be held and securely fastened in the lock, and
by which the keyhole may be closed when the key is not in
the lock. A device is provided for preventing the escut-
cheon from being operated from the opposite or under side
by a knife or sharp pointed instrument.

The escutcheon consists of two plates of circular form,
one plate being fastened by screws to the door, and having
in it a keyhole and a curved slot, shown by the broken
lines. The second or outer plate is pivoted to the inner
plate, and has a keyhole with a straight slot opening out of
it. A stud passes through a slot in the inner plate and
limits the motion of the outer plate, and a kuob is provided
by which the plate may be moved, so that the keyholes
in the two plates will correspond. The key is inserted and
turned, throwing the bolt until the flat part of the handle of
the key stands in the proper position to be received by the
slot in the outer plate, when this plate is moved back to cor-
respond with the under plate, with the key inclosed in and
held from turning by the slot.

When the two plates coincide, holding the key in the slot,
it would be possible to enter a knife or pointed instrument
through the opposite keyhole, and by pressing the point
into the under surface of the movable plate to move it back,
causing the keyholes to correspond, when the key may be
turned or pushed out. In order to prevent this, notches are
formed at the inner end and on the sides of the curved slot
in the fixed plate, and two wings are formed on the opposite
sides of the stud or pin projecting from the movable plate,
so they coincide with notches in the fixed plate when the
key is locked in; and any pressure against the under side of
the plate will push the plate so that the wing on the end of
the stud will enter the notches, effectually preventing the
plate from being moved in the manner described. This de-
vice, answers the purpose of an extra lock or bolt, and is
very easily applied to a door, and cannot get out of order.
It effectually prevents the key from being turned with for-
ceps or pushed out from the opposite side. It makes the
cheapest lock perfectly safe, and it presents a neat appear-
ance on the,door. It can be used with either flat or round
keys.

This invention has been patented by Mr. Edward K.
Tolman, of 59 Pleasant Street, Worcester, Mass., who may
be addressed for further information.

■»<»> —

Vegetable Substitute for Rennet.

BY SIR J. D. HOOKEK.

Mr. Stormont, Superintendent of the Government Farm,
Khandesh, reported May 10, 1880: "Cheese making is a
branch of agricultural industry altogether unknown in this
district, and but imperfectly understood in any part of India;
yet there seems no reason why it should not be successfully
practiced."

Commissioner E. P. Robertson minuted upon this, June
10, "Cheese to be salable among the natives of this coun-
try should be made with some vegetable rennet. Natives
would not touch cheese made with ordinary rennet, and I
am convinced that good cheese cannot be without the use of
some rennet. If a good vegetable rennet could be procured,
the curd cheeses could be made; they would be cheap, and
ryots would soou find a ready sale for them."

These facts having attracted my attention, I consulted Mr.
A. H. Church, formerly Professor of Chemistry in the
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, but who has taken
up his residence at Kew, and is now Professor of Chemistry
to the Royal Academy. This gentleman very kindly made
some experiments on curdling milk, with calcium chloride
and with vegetable acids. He arrived at the conclusion,
however, that though in the laboratory good results could
be obtained, they depended too closely on careful attention
to the conditions of the process to afford a workable method
for everyday use in India. Meanwhile, I had turned my
attention to some suitable vegetable "rennet." Surgeon-
Major Aitchison, while engaged at Kew, in working up his
Afghan collections, under instructions from the Government
of India, suggested a well known northwest Indian plant
(Puneeria coagulant) as possessing the desired qualities.

The plant in question is one of the best known plants in
Scinde, Beloochistan, and Afghanistan. - "It bears I he name
of Puneer bund (cheese maker), from its being used by the
Beloochees and Afghans in making cheese (puneer), as a sub-
stitute for rennet."

I communicated this information to the India Office. As
will be seen from the following extract from Mr. Stormont's
report for 1881, the suggestion was immediately acted upon
with very gratifying success:

" During the year a good deal of attention has been de-
voted to dairy experiments, especially the making of cheese
alter the practice of Italy and Switzerland. The Commis-
sioner, C. D., pointed out that, before cheese making can
ever become an industry of the ryots, some vegetable sub-
stance must necessarily be found to take the place of the
animal rennet used in European countries.

"In connection with this difficulty, Surgeon-Major
Aitchison brought to the notice of the authorities at Kew
that the fruit of Puneeria coagulans, a shrub common in
Afghanistan and Northern India, possesses the property of
coagulating milk.

"A quantity of the dried capsules of this plant was ac-
cordingly obtained, and part of it tried here, and found to
be most suitable for the purpose. Being a member of the
poisonous nightshade family, its safety was in the first place

carefully and gradually tested. It has been ascertained that
an ounce of the pounded capsules in a quart of water is a
very suitable strength for use; a tablespoonful of this de-
coction coagulates a gallon of warm milk in about half an
hour. Seeds of the plant sown have germinated freely, and
their further progress will be specially reported upon.''

The anxiety as to the botanical position of Puneeria among
the Solanacem has, I think, no solid foundation. The genus
Puneeria is now reduced by botanists to W ithania. This is
a member of the tribe Solaneos, which appears to be gener-

position and moving it backward, as shown in Fig. 2. A
spring riveted to the fork prevents rattling by pressing
against the cylinder carried by the axle clip.

Further information in regard to this useful invention
may be obtained by addressing the inventor as above.

NEW KEY FASTENER.

ally free from the poisonous principles so characteristic of
Atropem and Hyoscyamem. It abounds, in fact, in plants
producing fruits which daily experience shows to be innocu-
ous, such as the tomato, aubergine, capsicum, Cypliomandra,
and cape gooseberry. — Kew Report.

m i « > m

IMPBOVED THILL COUPLING.

The engraving represents an improved coupling for the
thills of carriages and wagons, recently patented by Mr. G.
W. Beebe, of Swanton, Vt. This device is simpler than the
ordinary coupling, while it is perfectly secure against acci-
dental uncoupling. It consists of two parts, one attached
to the thill, the other to the axle.

Fig. 1 shows the coupling in condition for use; Fig. 2
shows it with the two parts separated; Fig. 3 is a sectional
view, showing the end of the pin and the recess in the fork
attached to the thill. The part of the coupling carried by
the axle consists of a clip secured to the axle in the usual
way, and having on the front side an arm supporting a short

BEEBE'S THILL COUPLING.

cylinder having at each end a cylindrical stud with a flat-
tened end. Each branch of the fork attached to the end of
the thill has a cylindrical cavity opening inward and pro-
vided with a side opening, which will admit the stud at the
end of the short cylinder carried by the clip, when the thill
is in a vertical position. When the thill is turned down
into a horizontal position for use, the flat portion of the
stud will be arranged transversely relative to the narrower
portion of the side opening in the end of the fork.

It will be seen that with this arrangement it is impossible
to remove the thill except by bringing it into a vertical

The Yankee m the South.

The impression still obtains that the Southern people
cherish • such a deadly hatred to Yankees that they will
neither smell, taste, touch, nor handle anything contami-
nated by Yankee hands. This is a most egregious error.
The Southern people love the Yankee, and they show this
affection in a thousand different ways. When they retire
at night, they unbutton Yankee buttons to Yankee made
coats, waistcoats, pantaloons, shirts, and drawers. They
pull off Yankee boots with Yankee boot jacks and divest
theirfeetof Yankeesocks. They march to Yankee bedsteads,
turn down Yankee coverlets, Yankee blankets, prostrate
themselves on Yankee mattresses, and lay their heads upon
Yankee pillows. The bedbugs are the only things not made
by Yankee hands and imported from the land of the
Yankees. On rising in the morning we tread Yankee car-
pets, stumble over Yankee chairs and sofas, build a fire with
Yankee coal taken from Yankee scuttles, in Yankee grates,
catch the ashes in Yankee pans, and use Yankee pokers,
Yankee shovels, and tongs. We repair to Yankee wash-
stands, pour water from Yankeepitchers into Yankee bowls,
and wash with Yankee soap ; then use Yankee towels and
Yankee tooth brushes. Next we march to a Yankee
bureau, stand before a Yankee glass, and use Yankee combs,
Yankee brushes, Yankee powder, Yankee cologne in Yankee
bottles. We sit down in a Yankee chair to a Yankee table,
covered with Yankee cloth, Yankee knives and forks,
Yankee dishes, and fed upon Yankee food. We call for
Yankee toothpicks, seize Yankee hats from Yankee racks,
turn the key to a Yankee lock, open a Yankee door, enter a
Yankee buggy, seize the Yankee reins to a Yankee harness,
and repair to our place of business, and spend the day in
trading on Yankee industry. The South is rich in resources,
but our people are so fond of the Yankees that they lavish
their wealth upon Yankee enterprise. — Memphis Appeal.

Cure for " Spinning."

M. Poisot lately communicated to the Societe de FIndustrie
Mine'rale de Saint Etienne some useful information as to the
means for preventing the "spinning " of locomotive wheels
in the Mazenay mines, no more fuel being now employed for
hauling out 100 tons than for 80 formerly. He observes that
the ventilation is effected by diffusion, and there is con-
stantly in the rolley way a tolerably thick smoke, which with
condensed steam from the engine and the dampness of the
workings causes the rails to be slippery. The consequence
is that every time they tried to ascend the gradient of 1 in
66 with a full train, they could only get u p half o f i t, about
180 meters (590 feet) without the wheels beginning to spin;
and during the rest of the rise, notwithstanding the use of
fine and dry sand, this difficulty frequently began again,
so that they lost pressure to such an extent that they were
obliged to stop to make steam. This difficulty caused great
consumption of fuel, excessive wear of the working parts of
the engine, and a rapid destruction of the rails. About two
months ago the joint of one of the cylindercocks leaked,
and a jet of steam escaping from it was directed on to the
rail, when the train took the gradient without the engine
once spinning. For two days they worked without making
the repair, and the locomotive drew all the trains without
the slightest stoppage. In consequence of this experience
they altered the cylinder cocks so as to make them discharge
directly on to the rails, and when they get to the gradient
the cocks are slightly opened, so that they ascend it with-
out difficulty.

■»<• > »

The Inventor of the Incandescent Electric Light.

Prof. W. Mattieu Williams, writing to Nature, says : In
the "Notes" of Nature, vol. xxvii., p. 209, M. De Chagny is
described as " the first electrician who attempted to manu-
facture incandescent lamps in vacuo, about twenty years ago."
This invention and its successful practical application (irre-
spective of cost) was made by a young American, Mr. Starr,
and patented by King in 1845. A short stick of gas-retort
carbon was used, and the vacuum obtained by connecting
one end of this with a wire sealed through the top of a baro-
meter tube blown out at the upper part, and the other end
with a wire dipping into the mercury. The tube was about
thirty-six inches long, and thus the enlarged upper portion
became a Torricellian vacuum when the tube was filled and
inverted. I had a share of one eighth in the venture, assist-
ed in making the apparatus and some of the experiments,
and after the death of Mr. Starr all the apparatus were assign-
ed to me. I showed this light (in the original lamp) pub-
licly many times at the Midland Institute, Birmingham, and
on two occasions in the Town Hall, all of them more than
twenty years ago. The light was far more brilliant, and the
carbon-stick more durable, than the flimsy threads of the
incandescent lamps now in use. It was abandoned solely on
account of the cost of supplying the power. As a steady,
reliable, and beautiful light, its success was complete. In
"A Contribution to the History of Electric Lighting," pub-
lished in the Journal of Science, November 5, 1879, and re-
printed lately in my " Science in Short Chapters," may be
found further particulars concerning this invention and its
inventor.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

9 tuntiiu %mmtm.

115

How to Help a Man Who Swears Off.

A large audience assembled at Franklin Institute Hall,
Philadelphia, recently to hear the last lecture of the New
Century Course for Women. Suggestions contributed by
Dr. Joseph Parrish, of New Jersey, Dr. R. P. Harris, of
the Franklin Home, Dr. Jos. Klapp, of the Washingtonian
Home, Dr. T. D. Crothers, 9^ the Hospital for Inebriates
in Hartford, Conn., Dr. Chas. Mohr, Secretary of the Penn-
sylvania Homoeopathic State Society, and many others, were
read.

Mr. C. Gibbons, Superintendent of the Franklin Home,
made an earnest appeal to women for patience with the men
whose weakness has tried them so sorely, and who suffer so
deeply themselves in their efforts to reform. Very interest-
ing addresses followed from Mr. S. P. Godwin, founder of
the home, and the Rev. Chas. G. Ames. All agreed that the
safest of all ways to stop drinking is to stop short off from
all stimulation whatever, hot drinks, cold
drinks, bitters, and all the list.

The Philadelphia Ledger sets down some
of the advice given for the benefit of those
to whom such a break would be an impossi-
bility. For such let the house mother al-
ways have on hand something hot, or tonic,
or refreshing, to tide over for the hour the
agonizing demand of the body for stimu-
lation. Hot drinks— coffee, sometimes tea.
cocoa, either ground or in the form of shells
or cracked cocoa. This is nutritious as well
as satisfying. Hot broth, beef tea, or beef
essence can be bought, but are far better
made at. home; hot milk, ginger tea, cayenne
pepper tea, and an article called tabasco,
which is hotter than ordinary cayenne.
Aerated drinks — lemon soda, zoedone, and
ginger ale can be kept in the house, and are
harmless, the tang being given by fixed air;
the home-made beers, on the contrary, are treacherous,
the life depending directly on fermentation. Refreshing
drinks are cold milk, buttermilk, whey, drinks from lemon
and other acid fruits, Horsford's acid phospliate, ana what
is just as effectual and much cheaper, dilute phosphoric
aeid. A few drops in water, sweetened, makes a pleasant
drink, and ten cents' worth will last for months. Oat-
meal watar, just a handful' in a pitcher of water. This
is both refreshing and strengthening, especially in sum-
mer.

In the Baldwin locomotive shops, where about 5,000 men
are employed, this js kept on hand in large quantities, and,
strange to say, even drinking men grow fond of it. They
say that when they drink it they don't seem to want their
beer. Juicy fruits — apples, oranges, melons, etc. The
surest way to bring up children not to care for alcohol is to
accustom them early to liking all sorts of fruit. The lec-
turer spoke in the strongest terms of the misery caused by
physicians by the reckless prescribing of alcoholic stimu-
lants to patients, without a word of inquiry as to the habits
or the inherited tendencies of the individual.

A New Moia,

Under the name of crayon-feu, Dr. Moses describes a pre-
paration made as follows: Charcoal powder, 30 grammes;
potassium nitrate, 4 grammes; powdered iron, 5 grammes;
benzoin, 1 gramme; the whole to be made up with some
active substance into forty crayons. He so obtains a bard
preparation, which is easily inflamed by a match, and which
he proposes for the cauterization of poisoned wounds and
when the actual cautery is required. — Medical News; Gaz.
Hebdomadaire.

IMPROVED SEED SOWER.
This is a machine for sowing tobacco seed, cabbage seed,
turnip seed, and other small seeds, accurately and expedi-
tiously. The shell of the seed box is cylindrical, with a ver-
tical upper part provided with a cover. Th,e hubs of the
drive wheels are connected with the axle by set screws, so

A New Test lor Living Germs in Water.

Many analysts, says the Brewer's Guardian, are in the habit
of testing the organic purity of a water by dissolving a little
sugar in it; if the germs of any living organ-
isms are present, the water will, after being
kept in a warm place for about twenty-four
hours, become cloudy, and sometimes quite
milky or opaque, owing to the rapid develop-
ment of fungoid organisms, resulting from
the growth of the germs in a suitable nutri-
tive medium. The test is a valuable one, but
requires to be used with caution. It is well
to remark, however, that some chemists be-
lieve that the growth of the fungoid organ-
isms is dependent upon the presence of phos-
phates rather than upon any organic impu-
rities, and that it is possible the germs may
be derived from the air, and not from the
water itself. Those who have experimented
on the subject cannot have failed to observe
how very varied is the behavior of different
waters when treated with sugar.

Recently Dr. Smith, of Manchester, has
pointed out that gelatine is most valuable in
detecting organic vitality in waters. About
2}4 per cent of gelatine well heated in a little
water is mixed with the water to be tested,
and the mixture forms a transparent mass,
which is not movable like the water itself. When solu-
ble or unobserved matter develops from the organic mat-
ter of the waters, and makes itself visible in a solid and
insoluble form, it does not fall to the bottom, but each
active point shows around it the sphere of its activity,
and that sphere is observed and remains long. The gela-
tine preserves the whole action, so far as the more strik-
ing results are concerned, and keeps a record for a time,
both of the quality and intensity of life in the liquid.
Dr. Smith speaks of the more striking effects, which are
clear and abundant, every little center of life making
itself apparent to the eye, and sometimes expanding its
influence to reach both sides of the tube.

It seems to him now essential that all chemical examina-
tion of water should be supplemented by an inquiry into the
somparative activity of the living organisms.

IMPROVED SEED SOWER.

that they may be readily detached when required. The
axle passes through and revolves in bearings in the ends of
the cylindrical part of the shell.

T6 the axle within the shell are attached a number of
disks, to the edges of which are attached rods extending
throughout the length of the seed box. These disks and
rods form a stirring reel to agitate the seeds, so that they
will readily pass out through the discharge apertures in the
bottom of the seed box. The disks also serve as partitions
to separate the seed box into compartments, to prevent all
the seed from settling toward one end of the seed box should
the seed box be inclined toward either end by one of the
wheels passing over a clod or other obstruction.

In the bottom of the seed box are formed two or more
rows of discharge apertures of unequal size, so that either
row of apertures can be used, as the size of the seeds to
be sown may require.

A curved plate fits upon the outer surface of the cylindri-
cal bottom of the seed box, and is held against the bottom of
the said seed box by bands passing around the lower part of
the shell, and secured at their ends to the front and rear
sides of the shell. With this construction the valve plate
can be adjusted by sliding the plate laterally between the
shell and bands.

A plate which projects downward and is curved to the

Floral Decorations.

Ornamental grasses impart to an arrangement a lightness
and distinctive character which fern fronds, handsome as
they are, fail to give. Moreover, it is difficult to keep up
the needful amount of cut ferns without disfiguring the
plants; therefore, we should grow ornamental grasses for
the purpose, thus sparing many fern fronds. Most of the
useful sorts are easily grown from seeds. We sow them in
March in the open border in well prepared soil — the earlier
in the month the better, if the weather is favorable. We
have found the following six kinds to be among the most
useful, viz., Agrostis nebulosa, and pulchella.

These come into flower early, and are about the very
lightest that can be grown ; they are also often sown in pots,
and in this manner are useful for furnishing purposes.
Briza maxima and gracilis are two of the best of the quak-
ing grasses. We find the former to be especially valuable,
and to arrange well with water lilies and
similar subjects. This sort is also one of ttie
best for cutting and drying for later use; if
cut while the deep green tint is in it, it re-
tains its color better than if left till it has
assumed a brownish tinge.

Lagurus ovatus Obe Turk'3 head grass) is

one of the most distinct kinds, as well as one

of the best for keeping purposes if treated

as just advised in the case of the Briza. For

bold arrangements in association with large

flowers this is an excellent kind. Another

valuable grass is Eragrostis elegans; this is

a later kind than those previously named,

and comes in useful for cut purposes up to

the time when the early frosts spoil its color.

It is a somewhat stronger sort than the

others; when well grown it attains a height

of from 2 feet to 2J^ feet high. It should

therefore be allowed more room than the

others in which to develop itself. The following sorts are

all useful and distinct, viz , Anthoxanthum gracile, Brizo-

pyrum siculum, Bromus brizseformis and giganteus, Hor-

deum jubatum, and Paspalum elegans.

Two new kinds have recently been brought forward, viz.,
Briza spicata and Bromus patulus nanus, both of which will
doubtless prove useful. These grasses, taken collectively,
are about the best that can be annually raised from seed
Stipa pennata and elegantissima may be increased by divi-
sion, perhaps, with more certain results than from seeds.
These ornamental grasses are *)1 valuable in their seasons,
and for preserving for use afterward, not, however, after
they have been disfigured by drying. When those raised
from seed are well above the soil, it will be well to thin out
any kind that has come up too thickly. This will throw
more stamina into those that are left, rendering them more
durable.

The following annuals are all useful associated with
grasses, viz., Campanula loreyi and its white variety Cata-
nanche coerulea, sweet sultan (yellow), Rhodanthes, Linuni
grandiflorum coccineum, the Corn Flowers in various colors,
dwarf poppies, single dahlias, which have a future before
them, and last, but not least, Gypsophila elegans and its
variety rosea. Many more annuals might be named, but
these are among the best for decorative arrangements and
for using in conjunction with grasses. One
of the hardy perennials that may be raised
from seed is Chelone barbata coccinea; this
when in flower yields good spikes for trumpet
vases. — The Garden.

IMPROVED SEED SOWER.

rearward, is attached to the seed box and serves as a guard
to prevent the discharge openings from becoming clogged
by the contact of soil with the bottom of the seed box.

The principal advantages possessed by this machine are
simplicity, lightness, durability, and cheapness. It is adapted
to all kinds of seeds, is reliable, working equally well on
rough and smooth "land, and is capable of being used when
drills are unavailable. We understand it has been approved
by our best farmers.

This invention has been patented by Mr. John F. Heady,
of Ghent, Ky.

The facetious Mark Twain says there is something
very fascinating about science — it gives you such whole-
sale returns of conjecture for such trifling investments
of fact.

The Great Wall of China.

An American engineer who, being engaged
in the construction of a railway in China,
has had unusually favorable opportunities of
examining the famous Great Wall, -built to
obstruct the incursions of the Tartars, gives
the following account of this wonderfuh
work : The wall is 1,728 miles long, 18 feet
wide, and 15 feet thick at the top. The
foundation throughout is of solid granite, the
remainder of compact masonry. At inter-
vals of between two hundred and three hun-
dred yards towers rise up twenty-five to forty
feet high, and twenty-four feet in diameter.
On the top of the wall, and on both sides of
it, are masonry parapets, to enab'e the de-
fenders to pass unseen from one tower to
another. The wall itself is carried from
point to point in a perfectly straight line,
across vajleys and plains and over hills, without the slight-
est regard to the configuration of the ground; sometimes
plunging down into abysses a thousand feet deep. Brooks
and rivers are bridged over by the wall, while on both
banks of larger streams strong flanking towers are placed.

*<» > »■

The Unused Water Power of North Carolina.
Recently, in Congress, Senator Vance, of North Carolina
read from a report'of the late Professor Kerr, geologist of
that State, an estimate of the unused water power of the North
Carolina rivers. The main streams have an aggregate length
of 8,300 miles, with an average fall of ten feet to the mile,
giving a horse power of 3,300,000. The numerous tributa-
ries are not included in this estimate. The wasted water pow-
er of the State rivals the estimated engine power — stationary
and locomotive — of Great Britain.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

n6

Sftitutttit %mmtm.

[February 24, 1883.

MACHINE FOB EXCAVATING} THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

(Continued from first page.)
pounds per square inch, a pressure commonly employed.
The cutting machinery at the face will be driveD by an ordi-
nary hydraulic motor direct without the intervention of
gearing. The debris of chalk cut down will be taken up by
a series of cups and thrown into a chute, at the top of which
the waste water from the hydraulic motors is conducted.
The water flowing down carries with it the debris of chalk,
and both pass into an ordinary cylindrical revolving drum,
where it is reduced to sludge. The quantity of water used
by the hydraulic motors will be so calculated that it will
amount to about three times the quantity of chalk debris by
weight. When mixediwith the water in the revolving drum,
the very small debris almost instantly dissolves, and the re-
sult is a cream or sludge, which is taken up by ordinary
pumps, worked by hydraulic motors, and forced into the
main outlet pipe to the bottom of the shaft, or direct up the
shaft to the sea if required. The pumps are placed upon the
main frame of the boring machine, and driven by high pres-
. sure water taken from the main inlet pipe.

The cream is forced by the pumps through the excavated
portion of the tunnel to the bottom of the shaft, and thence
may be raised by pumps or other suitable means to the top
and discharged into the sea, or disposed of in other ways.

It will now be perceived that the space lying between the
boring machinery and up to the top of the shaft is left en-
tirely free, excepting so small a portion of it as is occupied
by the two pipes — the high pressure water inlet pipe and the
cream outlet pipe. - -

The operation of lining the tunnel may therefore be carried
on with the greatest facility, there being no traffic upon the
rails, no hoisting up or lowering in the shaft except that
necessary to transport the workmen and the building mate-
rials for lining the tunnel, amounting to only one-quarter
that required on the ordinary system, or in other words,
three-quarters of the whole weight to be disposed of is car-
ried through pipes instead of by locomotives and trucks.

The cutting machine is of a most simple construction, de-
signed for the purpose of excavating the chalk. It consists
of a number of small disks attached to a large boring head
made to revolve at any given speed. The disks turn freely
on their spindles, and as they cut only a width about one-
quarter of their diameter, they turn in an opposite direction
to that in which the large disk is turning, and thus act by
rolling into the chalk and changing the cutting edge continu-
ally, whereby the wear and tear of the edges is reduced to a
minimum ; at the same time the cutting edges do not require
sharpening, a most material feature.

By trials I have ascertained that two horse power per
cubic yard of chalk excavated would be more than ample;
and if in piercing a tunnel 36 feet in- diameter 170 cubic
yards of chalk will have to be cut down, 340 horse power
will have to be provided for this part of the work.

In the real machine the pressure of the incoming water
upon the area of the telescopic joint, in the onecase, and the
back pressure of the cream, forced toward the exit, on the
other, will push the machine forward automatically, and it
becomes necessary to provide an arrangement to control this
speed and allow the machine to advance only at a certain de-
sired rate forward. There are various simple means of effect-
ing this object.

To cut a clear face 36 feet in diameter will require seventy-
two 12 inch cutting disks upon the arms or cross-beam — each
cutter in one revolution of the machine taking off a concen-
tric ring 3 inches in width and one-sixteenth of an inch
thick — supposing the crossbeam or head to turn at the rate
of ten revolutions per-minute. This would give the cutter
on the extreme outside a periphery speed of 1,130 feet per
minute, which has been found to be well within practical
limits. It will be understood that the cutters turn at differ-
ent speeds, those near the outer periphery doing considerably
more work than those near the center, the revolving cutters
being equally effective at all speeds.

The apparatus for the reduction of the chalk debris to
sludge or cream is a plain cylindrical drum. One face of
this drum is made of a strong wire grating except in the cen-
ter, where a hole is left. Through this central aperture the
debris of chalk and the water in whatever quantities re-
quired are introduced, and as the drum revolves, the parti
cles of chalk, saturated and softened by contact with the
water, are quickly dissolved, and a cream or sludge of more
or less consistency is produced, which escapes through the
meshes of the wire grating and collects in a reservoir, whence
it is taken up by a pump and forced to the place where re-
quired.

As a matter of fact, two drums, 7 feet in diameter and 7
feet in length, will be amply sufficient for the purpose with
85 horse power.

The conveyance of the cream through ten miles of pipe on
a level, back to the bottom of the shaft, will be done by a 12
inch main pipe with a pressure of 700 pounds per square
inch ; the water passing through this pipe at a velocity of 6%
miles per hour, or 9 - 5 feet per second. The total horsepower
developed by this quantity of water amounts to 1,377 horse
power at our disposal at the face. The sludge being com-
posed of chalk, 76 cubic feet per minute; water, 459 cubic
feet per minute; cream, 535 cubic feet per minute.

A main outlet pipe, 20 inches in diameter, will be required
to convey the cream back to the bottom of the shaft through
ten miles of level tunnel, and the cream will have to flow
through it at a velocity of 245 feet per minute or 4 feet per
second. The total head required to force the cream to the

bottom of the shaft is 214 feet, or 21J£ feet per mile. This
represents a force of 224 horse power, the pressure in the
pipe being 96 pounds per square inch.

To lift the cream from the bottom of the shaft to the sur-
face will require a total of 525 horse power.

The cubic foot of cream of the above admixture weighs
72 - 06 pounds. If we now add up the powers required for
the several operations, we find :

Horse power.

(1) For cutting the chalk 340

(2) Reduction of chalk to cream , 55

(3) Conveyance of cream to bottom of shaft through 10 miles, 824

Total required at the face 619

As we have provided 1,377 horse power, there will be no
deficiency, even if the hydraulic motor should only yield 50
per cent duty, which is a very low estimate.

The 525 horse power required for lifting the cream to top
will, of course, have to be provided for at the top of the
shaft, and will be in addition to the power necessary for the
compression of the water.

To compress 459 cubic feet of water per minute to a pres-
sure of 512 pounds per square inch, or about 1,200 feet head,
would require a force of 1,040 horse power.

We have, therefore, to provide on top of shaft —

Horse power.

For compression of water 1,040

Forpumpingup the cream 525

Total 1,565

to carry out the entire operation of cutting required, 172
cubic yards per hour, reducing it to -cream, and conveying
it to the surface in pipes and into the sea.

This power is independent of that required to transport
the material necessary for lining the tunnel, which will be
done by locomotive or other means, the same as that em-
ployed in the ordinary system.

Tbe Preservative Treatment of Timber for Railway
Oross Ties.

The National Car Builder estimates the yearly consump-
tion for cross ties for new roads, and for replacing worn out
ties on old tracks, roughly at thirty millions, assuming the
average life of the ties now in use to be about seven years.
The annual increase in track mileage, if it is to continue at
a rate approximating that of the past year, with a corre-
sponding increase in the great volume of traffic, points to a
continuous yearly increase in the consumption of timber for
ties for an indefinite period in the future— a home consump
tion strictly, and not including timber exported for like uses
on the roads of foreign countries. How to meet this prospec-
tive demand with our annual increase in track mileage with-
out causing such an excessive draught on our forests gives
the problem of future supply a greater importance every
year.

With respect to cross ties more particularly, attention has
of late years been directed to three methods to check the
excessive consumption of timber material, namely, preserva-
tive treatment, tree planting, and the substitution of iron
ties for wooden ones. What is wanted, so far as wood is
concerned, is a material that will have twice the durability
of the ties now in use, and at the same time cost less, or at
all events not any more, for a given period. If the average life
could be doubled, it would save a vast quantity of growing
timber, and also the cost of one renewal for the total track
mileage. This would go far to compensate for the cost of
treatment, or the cultivation of timber of exceptional dura-
bility and capacity of service, like the catalpa, for example.
Tree planting and the use of iron will avert the impending
evil to some extent, no doubt, but the main reliance must be
upon methods which will make the various kinds of timber
now in general use for t'es more lasting, by subjecting it to
some kind of preservative treatment that is both effective
and. cheap. Many processes for accomplishing this have
been tried and recommended, some of which are reported as
having been very successful in Europe, but as yet they have
scarcely passed the experimental stage even there, while in
this country none of them are in general use, and very few
have been put to a satisfactory preliminary test even. These
methods, although various, all aim to render the timber less
perishable by expelling the sap and all humidity, and then
filling the pores or cells with creosote oil, or with a solution
of certain metallic salts, both of which have the quality of
arresting fermentation and preventing decay — a treatment
somewhat analogous to embalming as practiced upon human
bodies to arrest decomposition. These processes are known
under many names, the more noted of which are the Kyan,
Burnett, Bethell, Hayford, and Boucherie methods. The
most effective agents appear to be chloride of zinc and
creosote, the preservative effect on the timber being about
the same for each, but the creosote treatment being twice as
expensive as the zinc, the latter is mostly used on foreign
railways, and to these we must at present look for the best
information extent upon the subject.

The preservation of timber by artificial means has been
resorted to more or less in this country for many years in
cases where it was to be used for the foundations of heavy
masonry and structures of great weight and durability, but
for railway ties, telegraph poles, driven piles, and a host of
other uses to which timber is applied, its preservative treat-
ment has been little thought of, and nothing very definite
has been realized in practice. In practice one thing is quite
certain, and that is that soft, porous timbers, such as pine, fir,
hemlock, spruce, and the like, can be rendered vastly more
serviceable and lasting for cross ties by creosotmg or by im-

pregnation with solutions of zinc than if used in the natural
state or with ordinary seasoning, especially upon roads with
light or medium traffic and with tolerably good ballasting.

With respect to economic results, the reports from the
German and Austro-Hungarian roads are the most definite.
The ties used are mostly of oak, pine, fir, and beech, and
nearly one-half of the total number in use have been sub-
jected lo antiseptic treatment according to various systems,
with a reported increase in their average life over and above
the average life of untreated ties, as follows: Oak six years,
fir sevei years, pine nine years, and beech nine years.

If preservative treatment is profitable on European roads,
where the scarcity and cost of timber naturally lead to close
and careful investigation in order to get at the truth, the Car
Builder inquires why the same thing cannot be made profit-
able here, irrespective of any threatened exhaustion of our
existing timber resources? There is no very obvious reason
why it cannot, except that it is a new economic rut to get
into after being so long accustomed to plentiful supply and
wasteful profusion, and everybody knows how difficult it is
to introduce innovations in the face of long established
usage and the prejudices thereby engendered.

^ i » > »

The Ready Made House Industry,

The Canadians are making such a considerable and pro-
fitable business of ready made house manufacture that the
Northwestern Lumberman (Chicago) thinks it strange that
Americans, who have the reputation for seizing new oppor-
tunities for money getting, do not branch out in this direc-
tion more extensively.

Illustrative of the manner this industry is progressing, it
is mentioned in the London, Ont., Advertiser that the
Truaxes planing mills at Walkerton, are turning out ma-
terial for ready made houses at a rapid rate. Orders for a
whole row of houses can be filled in a few days, and it is
not uncommon to see an entire street for Brandon or a block
for Winnipeg sent out on a train twenty or thirty days after
the order has been received. During the past season Messrs.
Truax shipped 219 cars of knock down house material to
the Northwest. One of the partners in the concern accom-
panies each train, and superintends the putting up of the
houses. Sometimes houses are ordered by telegraph in this
fashion: " What can you furnish me a tidy cottage for,
22x40 feet, with bay window and veranda?" Next spring
the enthusiastic house builders expect to receiv«^>rders for
entire villages, something after this style: "What is your
lowest figure for five stores, two wagon and two black-
smith shops, one Methodist and one Presbyterian church,
twenty-five cottages, a town hall, and' a lock-up, to be de-
livered on or before July 1 ?" Orders have been received for
twenty-one houses to be put up in Brandon next spring. The
freight rate on these houses from Walkerton to Chicago is $40
a car; from Chicago to Minneapolis $20 a car. The charge the
balance of the way is enormous, owing to the lack of com-
petition, the cost of a medium car through from the start to
Winnipeg being $361. The large ones used by the Truaxes
cost more. Considering the fact that Chicago is nearer
Winnipeg than Walkerton, Ont., why cannot, adds the Lum-
berman, the knock down house business be made profitable
here, and still more so at Minneapolis, Duluth, or any
other lumber point in the Northwest?

. ■ • <»>* —

An Electromotive Torch.

Dr. Brard, of La Rochelle, some time since announced his
discovery of a method of preparing blocks of combustible
matter, capable of being used as fuel, which at the same
time developed a current of electricity. See engravings in
Scientific American, October 28, 1882. Proceeding on
the same lines, Dr. Brard has succeeded in making a kind
of torch which yields a current of electricity in burning.
He makes first of all an inflammable wick of coal dust and
molasses, moulded into a rod. A thin sheet of asbestos is
then wrapped round this wick, and the whole is dipped
into fused nitrate of potash until a good thickness of the
material adheres. When the wick of the torch thus made
is ignited, a current of electricity may be detected in a cir-
cuit of wire connecting the coal paste and the nitrate of
potash. It does not appear that such a torch is at all a
good one for giving light, and, indeed, the contrary might
be inferred from the materials used in its construction.
Neither does it develop a useful current of electricity, for
the electromotive force produced is insignificant. Still
the discovery is regarded as important, because it proves
the possibility of electro-generative fuels. It also affords
a starting point for the imagination of sanguine individuals,
who have already begun to speculate on the time when
the fireplaces of living rooms will be made available for
supplying electricity — not only for ringing bells, but also
for charging accumulators, and thus giving light also. It
is reported that Dr. Braid has this latter object in view.

Hemlock Bark.

There are produced annually in North America 100, 00<1
barrels of hemlock bark extract, of which a single Boston
firm produces 72,000 barrels. They own nine extract works
and operate twenty-three tanneries. All the tanneries of
the United States consume annually 1,250.000 cords of hem-
lock bark, produced in nine States. As the yield of bark is
about seven cords to an acre of hemlock timber, the yearly
consumption implies the clearing of 178,000 acres. In the
main, the bark is stripped from trees cut for timber; and as
the demand for this timber exceeds the supply, the supply of
both timber and bark is threatened with speedy exhaustion

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

^twntxlu ^mtt'mu.

IP

"Indian Holes" on Lake George.

lb the Editor of the Scientific American :

While camping on Lake George last summer, my atten-
tion was directed to the" Indian holes," as they are called,
near the foot of the lake. They were pointed out by an old
resident, and owing to the obscurity of their location, must
be rarely seen by tourists. The visitor -to that beautiful re-
gion may find them on a small rocky projection in a bay,
about a mile south of " Rogers' Slide," on the western shore,
in Hague, N. Y. My curiosity to see them was aroused
by being told that there the Indians had been accustomed to
grind their corn.

These aboriginal mills, if such they may be called, con-
sist of about a dozen well defined ''pot holes" in a solid
ledge of gneiss, and are grouped together in an area of a few
square yards.

The majority of these have a circular opening and the
greatest diameter at the center. One, a well 2 feet in width
and 3 feet deep, is cut as neatly in the rock as if bored by
artificial means. This and several others were filled with
stagnant water, which was frequented by swarms of mosqui-
toes in their several stages of development and other larval
congeners. The largest which I observed was nearly 4 feet
across, and probably 5 or 6 feet in depth, although I was
not able to determine this accurately, as it was filled with
earth. Many of the old inhabitants would doubtless still
affirm that these were the work of the Indian.

It is very evident that the configuration of the surface was
essentially different, when these curious pits were formed,
from what it is at the present time. Long and persistently
muot a powerful torrent have rolled over these ledges to have
kept the stones in motion, which slowly drilled their way
into the hard rock, and produced the results which we see
to-day. Up to a comparatively recent date they may have
been filled with soil and detritus. The red man then found
them, and excavated such as were suited to his purpose,
removing also the stones which had been instrumental in the
work. Here was mortar and pestle for him ready made.
None of these grinding stones were seen, yet it is likely that
some of them are still there.

It is not knowi, of course, if the Indian ever used these
stone mortars for domestic purposes, but it is highly proba-
ble that he should have done so, for here was a favorite
hunting ground, and doubtless the best of fishing, certainly
the best which the lake now affords.

Here, making temporary encampments at certain seasons,
he might prepare a supply of ground corn, or else, while
passing to and from Cliamplain, he would merely turn his
canoe in hither to pulverize a few handfuls of maize. Min-
gling this- with the limpid waters of the Horicon, he would
soon have bread enough baking over bis fire,- with which to
satisfy his appetite for bass and venison.

F. H. Hehrick.

RockPt., Burlington,- Vt., Feb. 12, 1883.

Flying.

To the Editor of the Scientific American :

I see it stated in your article on flying that the albatross is
the largest flying bird. In the year 1858 1 was in Nebraska,
on the Missouri River, at a place called St. Helena, about
two miles below the mouth of the Little James River, and
one hundred miles east of Fort Randall. There I ate a
piece of a wild turkey, shot by an Indian, that weighed,
feathers and all, thirty and a quarter pounds. The flapping
of his wings broke off quite large branches of the cotton
wood trees, through which he was flying at the time he was
shot. How, then, can it be said in view of this fact, for fact
it is, that the albatross is the largest flying bird ? It seems
to me that weight, not bulk, is meant in your article.

The bird has the same relative advantage with his wings
in the air as the man has with his legs on the ground, has
he not? Hitch a rope to five such birds standing on their legs
to pull against a man weighing one hundred and fifty pounds
— would not the man be equal to their united strength? If
so, how then have the birds greater muscular power than the
man, even though the birds use both wings and feet, say-
ing nothing about one albatross being equal in muscular
strength to one man?

As sure as the world, I think I could pull more than live
thirty and a quarter pound turkeys. It seems to me that
the muscular strength of man is not concentrated enough
nor located in the right place to enable him to fly, not that
he has not the strength.

Samuel R. Goodsell.

Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb., 1883.

Horn and its Uses.

Under the general name of horn may be included (chemi-
cally considered) a great variety of tough, somewhat flexi-
ble, semitransparent organs intended by nature for defense
or covering; of this kind are the hollow? horns of the ox,
goat, ram, and some other animals, the hoof, the horny
claw and nail, and the horny scale of certain insects and
animals, chiefly cold blooded, such as the shell (so called) of
the tortoise. All these resemble each other very closely in
chemical character, and differ considerably from some of
the harder and bony defences of some animals, such as the
stag's horn, ivory, and the hard tusks of the sea cow, and
many others.

Horn (used in the above general sense) has various degrees
of hardness, but is always in some degree tough and flexi-

ble, even in the cold, so that, however dried, it cannot be
bruised to powder as bone can. It is also distinguished from
bone very remarkably, in being softened very completely by
heat, either naked or through the medium of water, so as
then to be readily bent, moulded, and made to adhere by
pressure to other pieces of horn in the same state. No such
change takes place with bone.

The valuable experiments of Mr. Hatchett, with those of
preceding chemists, have also shown a most decided cheini-
cal difference between horn and bone. When bone is boiled
with water in an open vessel, a large quantity of gelatine is
extracted, and the insoluble residue consists of the earth of
bone, together with albuminous cartilage, so that the texture
remains unbroken. On the other hand, the different species
of horn boiled with water, even for many days, give to it but
very little gelatine, the softer and more flexible horns giving
the most. The horn itself during the digestion is softened
considerably by the hot water, but on being taken out and
dried, it becomes more brittle than at first, and in proportion
to the loss of gelatine. Bone therefore contains much gela-
tine, and horn scarcely any.

Another difference appears after the utmost action of fire
on each. When hone is burnt, a number of substances are
procured, and the last residue is an earthy salt, chiefly phos-
phate of lime, amounting on an average to from half to one-
third of the entire weight of the bone. When horn is treated
in the same way, the volatile products are indeed the same,
or nearly so, but instead of a large earthy residue, scarcely
any earth or any other ^combustible matter remains. Bone
therefore contains much phosphate of lime, but horn hardly
any.

But the substance which they possess in common is that
condensed tough matter, insoluble in water and weak acids,
which Mr. Hatchett has so satisfactorily shown to resemble
albumen in all essential properties, and which in bone forms
the original organic cartilage on which the earth is deposited
during the growth of the animal, and in horn forms almost
the whole substance.

Horn seems to consist in by far the largest proportion
of condensed albumen, combined hqjvever with a small and
varying- portion of gelatine, which modifies its texture and
flexibility, and also with a small portion of phosphate of
lime.

It has been mentioned that boiling water in open vessels
had hardly any action on horn, but when confined in a diges-
ter, horn as well as bone is totally soluble, because water as-
sisted by the strong heat of a digester will dissolve condensed
albumen as well as gelatine. This method therefore is not
sufficiently distinctive for chemical analysis.

The fixed alkalies readily and totally dissolve horn into a
yellow saponaceous liquor.

The products obtainable from horn and bone of all kinds
by distillation per se, were early attended to by chemists,
as it is from these substances that a variety of valuable am-
moniacal salts and preparations are obtained.

The products from bone and horn by fire are very similar,
and it is only the soft parts, such as gelatine and albumen,
that are decomposed in the process, the earthy phosphate
remaining inert without adding to or modifying the volatile
products. These latter are a weak ammoniacal phlegm or
water, on the first impression of the fire, to which succeeds
an oil, thin and limpid at first, but afterward brown and
foul, and at last of a pitchy color and consistence, and an
extremely fetid and empyreumatic smell. During the whole
of the distillation, carbonate of ammonia comes over, partly
dissolved in all the liquid products and partly concreting on
the sides of the receiver in crystalline plates. A second
distillation with regulated heat is used to procure the ammo-
nia purer ; but it can hardly ever be totally freed by this
means from the volatile oil ; so that, though limpid and
gratefully ammoniacal, the alkaline liquor or salt thus obtain-
ed always retains somewhat of the peculiar smell of the oil,
as must be observed by every one who compares the scent
of common spirit of hartshorn with that of the pure carbon-
ate of ammonia or sal volatile, which is prepared in a diffe-
rent way and from other materials.

But horn (properly speaking) is seldom employed for the
purpose of distillation, being too valuable as an article of
manufacture to be thus sacrificed. The only horn ever used
is the stag's, horn or hart's horn, which, as above mentioned,
partakes much more of the nature of bone, is not flexible
like ox and other horn ; when in shavings, readily dissolves
by boiling water into a pure nutritious jelly, entangling the
phosphate of lime along with it, which makes it slightly
opaque. Stag's horn, therefore, is somewhat intermediate
between bone and true horn.

Horn and tortoise shell being applied to a number of me-
chanical purposes, must be cut, bent, and shaped in an infi-
nite variety of ways. This is done in most instances by the
assistance of heat applied either dry or by softening the horn
in boiling water, and sometimes with the assistance of a
weak alkaline liquor. When thus softened, one part may be
made to adhere to another by mere pressure as firmly as the
undivided substance. Thus, for example, to make the horn
ring that surrounds a common opera-glass, a flat piece of
horn is cut out of the requisite shape, the ends intended to
join are thinned down by a file, the piece is then put into
boiling water till sufficiently supple, and is then rolled round
a warm iron cylinder, and held in that position by a vice,
so that the ends envelop each other. Another piece of iron
heated and grooved is then laid upon the seam of the joint-
ed ends, and pressed upon the cylinder, and confined there
by iron wire ; and the heat of the two partially melts that

portion of the horn, and cements the ends so completely that
no seam or joining can be observed when cold.

In a similar manner two pieces of tortoise shell may be
joined together by first neatly shaping with a file the parts
that are to be united, then tying a thick paper doubled in
several folds over the joining, and pressing the whole to-
gether with a hot iron instrument like curling irons, heated
just sufficiently that the shell when warmed by it will begin
to bend by its own weight. When cold the joining is per-
fect, and without seam. Too great heat would make the
shell rise in opaque blisters, and spoil its beauty.

Horn is made to imitate tortoise shell in the following
manner : Make a paste with two parts of quicklime, one of
litharge, and a little soap-maker's lye, or solution of caustic
potash ; apply it skillfully on a thin plate of horn in a way
that will best imitate the natural spots of the tortoise shell,
leaving the light parts untouched ; let this paste dry on,
then brush it off, and the horn will be permanently stained.
The effect is much improved by laying beueath it, when
used, a piece of brass leaf. This staining may be varied at
pleasure by substituting other colored substances for the
litharge.

The tips of horns are used for knife handles, buttons, and
other purposes. Horn for knife and whip handles is sawed
into blanks, heated, pared, and partially shaped ; then heat-
ed in water and pressed between dies. It is afterward
scraped, buffed, and polished. Deer horns are worked like
bone or ivory. — Glassware Reporter.

^ < » > »■

Falsification of Brandy.

A lamentable picture has been drawn in a recent report
of the American Consul at Rochelle of the falsification of
brandy, which, it appears, in the last three years has under-
gone a complete transformation, and is no longer brandy,
the greater portion being prepared from alcohol of grain,
potatoes, or beet. The most unsatisfactory circumstance is
that even the merchants who desire to purchase a pure co-
gnac cannot be certain that they do so, for the proprietors of
the vineyards, all of whom are distillers, have become so
clever in the manipulation of alcohols and the accompany-
ing drugs that they deliberately make a brandy of any re-
quired year or quality. The mention of the years 1849 or
1876, for instance, in an invoice or on a label, means simply
that the article is presumed to have the taste or color of
the brandies of those years. The increasing importation of
German potato and beet alcohols into the Charente ports is
an additional proof that the less brandy that is consumed,
the better for the health and intellect of the consumer.

It is, moreover, becoming a custom to sell the brandy in
12 bottle cases, marked with one, two, or three stars ac-
cording to the presumed quality, thus avoiding any com-
promising mention of year or place of production. Some
of the manufacturers import .the small raisins from the East
and make what they call brandy from the juice, there being
at least one such establishment in operation at Coguao.
Apart from the unsatisfactory purchase of a brandy which
is not a brandy, drinkers should seriously consider what are
the properties of the liquid which they are so complacently
imbibing. It is simply an active poison, the imported alco-
hol, which is known to the trade as " trois-six," being of 90°
strength, and sold at a little less than three francs a gallon.
Its characteristic effect is to produce an intoxication in which
the patient is especially inclined to rage and physical vio-
lence, while insanity, of an obstinate and almost hopeless
form, is the inevitable consequence of a prolonged use of it.
It is said that the great increase of violent and brutish crimes
in France may be traced to the drinking of this brandy and
absinthe. The slang term for a glass of cognac is unpetrole,
and for coffee with cognac, un grand deuil. Not only in
France, but in other countries, and even in the United
States, these liquors are producing a condition of national
alcoholism of the worst kind, far beyond the ordinary
drunkenness arising from unadulterated intoxicating drinks.

Ancient mode of Baking Wall*.

Among the recent discoveries at Hissarhk by Dr. Schlie-
mann are the remains of buildings which he supposes to
have been temples. The walls are respectively 145 meters
and 1'25 meters thick. Nothing, he says, could better prove
the great antiquity of the buildings than the fact that they
were built of unbaked bricks, rfnd that the walls had been
baked in situ by huge masses of wood piled up on both sides
of each wall and kindled simultaneously. Each of the build-
ings has a vast vestibulum, and each of the front faces of
the lateral walls is provided with six vertical quadrangular
beams, which stood on well polished bases, the lower part
of which were preserved, though, of course, in a calcined
state. Dr. Schliemann maintains that in these ancient
Trojan temples we may see that (he antm or parastades,
which in later Hellenic temples fulfilled only a technical
purpose, served as an important element of construction, for
they were intended to protect the wall-ends and to render
them capable of supporting the ponderous weight of the
superincumbent crossbeams and the terrace. Similar primi-
tive antce were found in two other edifices, and at the late-
ral walls of the northwestern gate. It was also discovered
that the great wall of the ancient Acropolis had been built
of unbaked bricks, and had been baked like the temple walls
in situ. According to Dr. Schliemann, a similar process of
baking entire walls has never yet been discovered, and the
antce in the Hellenic temples are nothing else than remin-
iscences of the wooden antes of old, which were of important
constructire use.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

u8

gtuntxiu %mmau.

[February 24, 1883.

LANTERN ILLUMINATION.

BY OEO. M. HOPKIHS.

The most available and satisfactory illumination for ordi-
nary projections is the oxyhydrogen or lime light. The
two -forms of compound blow pipe generally employed
for this purpose have their defects, as every user of the
instrument knows. The form in which the two gases
are mixed within the nozzle, and projected through a com-
mon orifice, produces by far the stronger light, but its use is
fraught with danger. The concentric or annular form of blow
pipe, in which the gases are mingled as they issue from their
respective orifices, is perfectly safe, it being impossible for
the gases to mix in the tubes or gas hold-
ers; but ordinarily it is necessary to em-
ploy a superfluity of hydrogen gas to
realize the full effect of the oxygen jet.
This is especially true where illuminat-
ing gas is used instead of pure hydrogen.
The result of this extra amount of gas is
a large and intensely hot flame, surround-
ing the incandescent spot on the lime and
flaming out in all directions. This im-
pairs the ligh t, heats the lantern, and en-
dangers the condenser, which is very liable
to become broken by the heat.

The engraving shows a modified annular
oxyhydrogen burner, in which the serious
defects of its predecessors are overcome,
while their good qualities are preserved;
at the same time the illuminating power is
increased. The central or oxygen tube
has a conical end with a central orifice
- 03 inch in diameter. The hydrogen tube
is provided with an adjustable cap, having
a central orifice 01 inch in diameter. The
cap is conical internally and externally,
and when properly adjusted, as shown in
the sectional view, the thin space between
the internal surface of the cap and the
conical end of the oxygen tube forms a passage for the hydro-
gen, which directs it across the path of the jet of oxygen.
By this simple device the gases are intimately mixed at the
moment of ignition, and the result is a clear, intense light
with no superfluous flame, and with little free heat. The
performance of the burner compares favorably with those
that mix inside, while it is perfectly safe, and may be used
with gas cylinders or bags and with ordinary illuminating
gas at the usual pressure.

A simple and effective device for turning and elevating
the lime holder is shown in the cut. It consists of a spiral
spring soldered to the lime holder spindle, and secured to a
rod extending to the back of the lantern. It is, in fact, a
small use of the "flexible shaft." By turning the rod the
lime is turned and elevated.

» i » i »■

NEW BAG AND TWINE HOLDER.
The engraving shows several forms of a novel paper bag
and twine holder for grocers and others who use paper bags
for putting up goods. The essential feature of the inven-
tion is a stand or support of
suitable form, with wire pins,
rods, or hoops fixed thereon
in a convenient way, so that
they may be wholly or partly
detached for stringing the
bags on them, and replaced
in retaining hooks or notches,
to support the bags in posi-
tion to be readily detached
when wanted for use. Twine
ball cups are provided for
liolding the twine for tying
the bags.

The several figures in the
engraving represent different
forms of the invention.

The holder may have one
or more standards attached to
a base or other support. To
each standard are attached
horizontal arms for support-'
ing the wire pins, hooks, or
rods on which the bags are
strung. The pins are fixed
so that their points can be
readily freed from their sup-
ports at any time when it may
be required to replenish the
stock, and at the same time
be so placed, when returned
to their resting places, that
the stripping of the bags from
them will not dislodge either

the points or the heads. For this purpose the pins may be
connected to the arms in various ways, and the connecting
devices may also be varied to suit the forms and arrange-
ments of the pins and their supporting arms. For instance,
in Figs. 1 and 4, where the wire forms a circle or hoop
around the standard, two of the arms may have hook ends,
in which the bent or notched head of one pin and the point
of another may be lodged, as shown, the other arms having
a notch in which the pins rest at the middle, the pins being
bent so as to extend half-way around the stand and spring

into the hooks and notches, so as to be readily put in or
taken out, the tension of the wire keeping them in place when
lodged therein. In Figs. 3 and 6 the pin heads are bent at
right angles and pivoted to the notches in the arms, so that
the points will spring into the notches of the adjacent arms.
In Figs. 2 and 5 the heads of the rods have a collar, and the
points rest in the notches in the arms by their weight, the
said head and collar preventing the rods from shifting
lengthwise, and the notches are crooked, to prevent the ac-
cidental escape of the rods in case of being thrust upward.

When the device is arranged as in Figs 4, 5, and 6, it
may be attached to the wall or a column, or other suitable

IMPROVED OXYHYDROGEN BURNER.

support. This device *iables the dealer to take the bags one
by one for use, the object being to so arrange the bags that
one can be readily selected from the rest, and can be de-
tached without disturbing or scattering the others, and at
the same time to hold them so securely that they will not be
accidentally scattered.

This device has been patented by Mr. Louis Steinberger,
of Bradford, Pa. (P. O. Box 1,933).

The St. Gotbard Railway.

It was naturally to be expected that the opening of the St.
Gothard Railway would divert the hulk of the Italian trade
into the hands of Germany, Belgium, and Holland. This is
being accomplished with surprising rapidity. Early fruit
and vegetables are conveyed without transshipment from all
parts of Italy to Ostend, Antwerp, and Rotterdam, whence
they are taken by fast steamers to London and other English
ports. The Great Eastern Railway Company alone is stated
to have carried over 6,000 tons of these goods, via Antwerp
and Harwich, in a few months. Malta is now likewise brought

BAG AND TWINE HOLDER.

nearer, and Algerian produce, such as green peas and early
potatoes, is made more available. On the other hand, Italy
is receiving an unprecedented, not to say overwhelming,
amount of attention from Germany. In two months after
the opening of the St. Gothard route the Germans dispatched
40,000 tons of coal, 107 tons of unmanufactured iron and
hardware, 14,000 tons of machinery, 693 tons of copper,
17,409 tuns of spirits, 1,446 tons of paper, and 76 railway
wagons — the export of all these articles having previously
been either nil or quite nominal.

Refining Shellac.

Ordinary commercial shellac, it is well known, when
treated with alcohol does not furnish a clear solution, but
always produces a more or less turbid, yellowish solution,
which, when warmed, clears itself by forming a brown solu-
tion and throwing down a grayish-yellow sediment. Also by
filtration through good thick filter paper, a perfectly clear
solution can be obtained, but this succeeds only when there is
about ten per cent of shellac in the solution, and not in work-
ing on large quantities. Of course, there is no difficulty
in subsequently concentrating the thin solution by evaporat-
ing the excess of alcohol, but the filtration of large quanti-
ties is attended with loss of time and ma-
terial, as well as other difficulties, for it is
not easy to make the filters tight enough
to prevent loss of alcohol, and the filter
paper has to be frequently changed.

Dr Peetz proposed to add finely pulver-
ized chalk or carbonate of magnesia, which
would carry down the light particles of
wax that make the solution turbid. This
may answer for small quantities, and
where the cost of manipulation is not taken
into account, but is absolutely useless for
large quantities.

Shellac is not a pure natural product,
but is prepared from stick lac by melting,
straining, and washing. Both in stick
and shell lac there is a substance which
some chemists call wax and others fat,
that will not dissolve in alcohol and ether,
but is soluble in benzine, naphtha, etc.
Dr. Peetz adds to three parts of shellac
solution one part of petroleum erher and
shakes well. After standing quietly for a
few minutes the liquid forms two layers;
the upper light brown one is petroleum
ether containing the dissolved fat or wax,
while below is a clear yellowish-brown
solution of shellac to which only a little naphtha adheres.
On removing the upper layer and allowing it to evaporate
spontaneously, a white residue is obtained, consisting of
the fat that was in the solution. This fat can be saponified
with caustic alkali, but Is not dissolved by carbonated
alkali, and on this property depends the new process for re-
fining of shellac

Edgar Andes, of Vienna, has been experimenting upon
the best methods'of refining shellac, and communicates his
results to Neusle Erfindung. Passing by the details of his
experiments as given in the original, we give his final re-
sults. He says: " I have come to the conclusion that for
the preparation of a perfectly soluble shellac, that shall re-
tain its other qualities unchanged, ten pounds of shellac
should be treated with three pounds of soda (carbonate of
soda) dissolved in ninety pounds of water.

" The operation is conducted as follows: The water is
heated t6 boiling in a suitable kettle, the soda added next,
and when that is dissolved the shellac is put in slowly, wait-
ing for the first portion to dissolve before adding more.

The liquid has a pink color
and the well known agreeable
odor of shellac. It is turbid
from the small amount of fat
in it. After all the shellac is
dissolved, the solution is
boiled a few minutes longer,
and the kettle covered with a
tight fitting wooden lid, which
is luted on with clay, so that
no air can enter. It is then
allowed to cool slowly, and
when the cover is at length
removed, a thin cake of fat
will be found floating on the
liquid.

■'This is removed and the
liquid strained through linen.
The shellac is then precipi-
tated with dilute sulphuric
acidadded drop by drop. The
yellow shellac is washed un-
til it is no longer acid. The
well pressed cake is put in
boiling water, when it becomes
softened, so that it can be
worked by the hands into
rods, strings, or rolls, which
are next put in cold water
containing glycerine, so that
it will harden quickly, and
then dried.

"The hot, soft shellac must
be squeezed, wrung, and
pressed to remove all the water. This refined shellac has a
silver white brilliant surface, is yellowish-brown within,
and must be perfectly dry, so as to dissolve without residue
in alcohol." The presence of water in alcoholic solutions
of any resin makes it turbid and milky.

« i n *

The venerable Professor Listing, of Gottingen, died in
that city, December 24, in his 75th year. Professor Listing
numbered many warm friends among his scholars in this
country, who will hear of his death with profound regret.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

§titntxiu %mmtm.

119

THE JEOLIAN HARP.

The jEolian harp is a musical instrument which is set in
action by the wind. The instrument, which is not very well
known, is yet very curious, and at the request of some of
our readers we shall herewith give a description of it. <

According to a generally credited opinion, it is to Father
Eircher, who devised so many ingenious machines in the
seventeenth century, that we owe the first systematically con-
structed model of an iEolian
harp. We must add, however,
that the fact of the spontaneous
resonance of certain musical in-
struments when exposed to a cur-
rent of air had struck the ob-
servers of nature in times of re-
motest antiquity.

Without dwelling upon the
history of the JEolian harp, we
may say that in modern times
this instrument has been espe-
cially constructed in England,
Scotland, Germany, and Alsace.
The ^Eolian harp of the Castle of
Baden Baden, and those of the
four turrets of Strassburg Cathe
dral are celebrated.

We shall first describe Kir-
cher's harp, which this Jesuit
savant constructed according to
an observation made by Porta in
1558. The instrument consists
of a rectangular box (Fig. 1), the
sounding board of which, con-
taining rose-shaped apertures, is
provided with a certain number
of strings stretched over two
bridges and fastened to pegs at
the extremities. This box car-
ries a ring that serves for suspending it. Kircher recom-
mends that the box be made of very sonorous fir wood,
like that employed in the construction of stringed instru-
ments. He would have it l - 083 meters in lenglh, 0434 me-
ter in width, and 0'217 meter in height, and would provide
it with fifteen catgut strings, tuned, not like those of
other instruments to the third, fourth, or fifth, but all in
unison or to the octave, in order, says he, that its sound
shall be very harmonious. The experiments of Kir-
cher showed him the necessity of employing a sort of
concentrator in order to increase the force of the wind,
and to obtain all the advantage possible from the
current of air that was directed against the strings.
The place where the instrument is located should
not, according to him, be exposed to the open air,
but must be a closed one. The air, nevertheless,
must have free access to it on both sides of the harp.
The force of the wind may be concentrated upon
such a point in different ways; either, for example,
by means of conical channels, or spiral ones like
those used for causing sounds to reach the interior
of a house from a more elevated place, or by means
of a sort of doors. These latter, two in number, are
adapted to a kind of receptacle made of boards and
presenting the appearance of a small closet. In the
back part of this receptacle there is a slit, and in
front of this the harp is hung in a slightly oblique
position. The whole posterior portion of the appa-
ratus must be situated in the apartment, while the
doors must remain outside the window (Fig. 1). In
later times the iEolian harp has been improved by
Messrs. Frost & Kastner, whose apparatus is repre-
sented in Fig. 2. It consists of a rectangular box
with two sounding boards, each provided with eight cat-
gut strings. In order to limit the current of air and to bring
it with more force against the strings, twowings are adapted
near the thin surfaces opposed to the wind, so that the cur-
rent may reach each group of cords on passing through the
narrow aperture between the obliquely inclined wing and
the body of the instrument. The dimensions of the resonant
box are as follows : height, 1'28 meters; width, 0'27 meter;
and thickness, 0075 meter. Distance between the two
bridges, or length of the sonorous portion of the cords, about
1 meter; width of the wings, 0' 14 meter. Distance between
the sounding board and the wings, 0'42 meter. Inclination
of the wings, 50 degrees.

The celebrated ^Eolian harps of the old castle of Baden
Baden are entirely different, and merit description. One of
them (Fig. 3) is formed of a resonant box, the construction
of which differs from that of jEolian harps with a rectangu-
lar box, in that it is prolonged beyond the place occupied by
the strings, and is rounded off behind. In the opposite side
there are two long and narrow apertures. To prevent the ap-
paratus from being injured by the weather, it is inclosed in
a sort of case occupying the recess of the window in the old
ruined castle in which it is exposed. Behind the harp there is
a wire lattice door, the purpose of which seems to be to pro-
tect the instrument against the attempts of robbers or the in-
discreet contact of tourists. We annex to the general view of
the instrument a front and profile plan (Fig. 4). The iEolian
harp has often inspired both writers of prose and poetry.
Chateaubriand, in.Les Natchez, compares its sounds to the
magic concerts that the celestial vaults resound. Without
attributing such effects to the instrument, it must be ad-
mitted that it possesses remarkable properties, which act

upon the nervous system and cause very different impres-
sions, according to the temperament of those who listen to
its accords.

Hector Berlioz, in his Voyage Musicale en Italie, has given
as follows the curious effects that an JEolian harp produced
upon his lively and impassioned imagination: "On one of
those gloomy days that sadden the end of the year, listen,
while reading Ossian, to the fantastic harmony of an iEolian

Fig. 1.- KIRCHER'S JEOLIAN HARP.

Fig. 2 -FROST & KASTNER'S IMPROVED JEOLIAN HARP.

harp swinging at the top of a tree deprived of verdure, and
I defy you not to experience a profound feeling of sadness
and of abandon, and a vague and infinite desire for another
existence."

An English physician, Dr. J. M. Cox, in his practical
Observations upon dementia, asserts that unfortunate lunatics
have been seen whose sensitiveness was such that ordinary
means of cure had to be given up with them, but who were

Fig. 3.-JE0LIAN HARP IN THE OLD CASTLE OF BADEN BADEN

instantly calmed by the sweet and varied accords of an Mo-
lian harp. Other observers narrate that they have heard the
efficacy of ^Eolian sounds spoken of in Scotland for produc-
ing sleep.

Telegraph wires are often, under the influence of the
winds, submitted to vibrations which reproduce the phe-

enabled to hear something like k far-off sound of hells. —
La Nature.

■» < • > »

The Disinfection of Tubercle.

From current theories of the infective nature of tubercle,
it naturally becomes exceedingly important to ascertain by
what agents its virulence may be most effectually neutralized.
A series of experiments on this subject have been communi-
cated to the Academie de Mede-
cine by M. Vallin. Fragments
of tubercular pulmonary tissue
removed from the body of a man
who had died of phthisis were
well mixed with distilled water,
and fifty centigrammes of the fil-
tered liquid were injected into the
peritoneal cavity of a guinea pig.
No inflammation was produced,
but at the end of a few weeks
the animal began to lose flesh,
and died at the end of the fourth
month. The liver, spleen, and
lungs were full of granulations
and gray masses, transmissible
by inoculation. It was this sec-
ondary tubercular substance
which supplied the material for
the inoculation experiments.
With distilled water, an infusion
of caseous fragments of the or-
gans was made, and a sheet of
filtering paper was saturated w i th
the liquid and then allowed to
dry. It was then cut up in strips
of the same width, each of which
would yield, to a small quantity
of water, a similar dose of the
virus. Preliminary experiments
showed that the inoculation of this produced tubercle with
certainty. Some strips of the paper were exposed to the ac-
tion of various disinfectants. In a chamber fifty cubic me-
ters in area, strips were exposed to the fumes of sulphur for
twenty-four hours. The results showed that it was neces-
sary to burn twenty grammes of sulphur in this chamber to
render the virus innocuous. When the quantity burned was
less than twenty grammes, the animals usually died tubercu-
lous. Boiling water was found invariably to secure
immunity, and so also did corrosive sublimate in a
solution of one per thousand. The conclusion M.
Vallin draws from the experiments is that it would
be well every year to purify by sulphurous fumiga-
tion all prisons, barracks, hospitals, and schools. —
Lancet.

^ «. ♦ ..»■

Improved Papier Maclie Process,

A durable and inexpensive method of employing
papier mache as a substitute for mattings, carpets,
oil cloths, and other floor coverings has been intro-
duced, says the Providence Journal, the simplicity of
the process being also an additional advantage in its
favor. After the floor has been thoroughly cleaned,
the holes and cracks are then filled with paper putty,
made by soaking newspaper in a paste made of
wheat flour, water, and ground alum, that is, to one
pound of such flour are added three quarts of water
and a tablespoonful of ground alum, these being
thoroughly mixed. With this paste the floor is uni-
formly coated, and upon this a thickness of Manila
or hardware paper is placed, or if two layers are de-
sired, a second covering of paste is spread on the
first layer of Manila paper, and then the second
thickness of paper is put on, and the whole allowed to be-
come perfectly dry; on this being accomplished another sur-
face of paste is added, succeeded by a layer of wall paper of
any style or pattern desired. On the work becoming entirely
dry, it is covered with two or more coats of sizing, made by
dissolving one-half pound of White glue in two quarts of hot
water, and when this has dried, a coat of " hard oil finish
varnish," nothing more being required after the latter has
had time to become thoroughly dry in every part.

Fig. 4.-FLAN OF THE BADEN BADEN INSTRUMENT.

nomena of the JEolian harp. The electric telegraph, which,
before the construction of the Kehl bridge, directly traversed
the Rhine, very frequently resounded, and the observer who
placed his ear against the poles on the bank of the river was

The Niagara Ice Bridge.

An unusually extensive and interesting ice bridge was
formed early this winter across the Niagara River below the
falls.

The architect of this stupendous structure, says an intel-
ligent observer, is the south wind. A steady blow from
this quarter causes the ice in Lake Erie, twenty-five miles
away, to breakup into gigantic fragments, which float down
the current of the Niagara until they shoot the rapids and
plunge over the cataract — a sight worth a long journey to see.
Below the falls some of these enormous cakes lodge, here
against a rock, there upon the beach at the foot of a cliff.
Others follow, and, tossed by the seething billows against
their predecessors, find lodgment also. They are welded
by the frost and dashing foam, and this process goes on until
the river is covered from shore to shore. The accumulation
increases, the cakes of ice being forced under the mass by
the pressure of the waters, until, as now, the bridge extends
from shore to shore, and from the foot of the great cataract
away down nearly to the railway suspension bridge, three
miles, and of a thickness often equal to the tallest of city
business blocks.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

120

Sftitutitit Amttmv.

[February 24, 1883.

Substances Used in Amalgamating.

The application and modification of tbe amalgamation
process, as practiced on the Comstock, has occasioned
among experienced millmen great doubt as to the beneficial
results derived from the use of any chemical agents at present
mixed with the ore. This doubt is occasioned, or at least
strengthened, by the custom of late years of decreasing the
quantity of salt and sulphate of copper added to the charge,
without apparently diminishing the product of bullion.
Many amalgamators now abstain from the use of both re-
agents; others add a small quantity of sulphate of copper,
but no salt; in a few instances the custom is to throw in
only a little of the latter, while in many mills the rule is to
employ a small amount of both substances, owing to a slight
prejudice against the abandonment of "chemicals" alto-
gether.

The action exerted by these two reagents in the pan would
appear clearly to indicate that the benefits derived from their
use are partly to aid in converting the sulphide into chloride
of silver, as in the patio, and partly to decompose such
minerals as are but slightly attacked by the mercury. In
the Comstock process, however, the large quantity of iron
present must tend greatly to produce subchloride of copper
almost as soon as the chemical agents are thrown into the
pulp.

Notwithstanding the importance of common salt and sul-
phate of copper in the patio, and, under certain conditions,
in the pan, their value must be considered as only secondary
in the decomposition of a large proportion of the Comstock
ores. The advantages derived from their use are shown
to be exerted chiefly upon such minerals as blende and
galena, which are but slightly attacked by the mercury.
But the amounts employed are in most cases too small to
effect any favorable results. On the other hand, if a suffi-
ciently large proportion of the reagents are consumed in the
pulp, in order to produce the beneficial returns, it is always
at the expense of preserving the necessary purity of the
mercury. The quantity of salt deemed necessary by mill ■•
men varies from one-quarter of a pound up to seven or eight
pounds per ton; scarcely any two establishments have the
same rule.

The consumption of sulphate of copper also depends upon
the ideas of the amalgamators, but the amounts do not differ
so widely as in the case .of the salt. It ranges from one-
quarter of a pound to three pounds per ton.

The addition of the sulphate without salt is of late years a
common practice. The opinion among those who work
their ore in this way is that it gives a little better yield than
when mercury alone is employed, particularly where the ore
indicates the presence of galena in any considerable amount,
in which case it is said to "quicken" the mercury and ren-
der it more energetic.

Continued experience appears to determine this fact with
a considerable degree of certainty. In working ores con-
taining only a small percentage of lead, the quicksilver very
soon becomes dull and inactive, or, as it is technically
termed, it "sickens," and the yield from the pan is conse-
quently low. Lead is one of the most deleterious metals in
destroying the amalgamating energy of mercury, and at the
same time is very rapidly absorbed when the two metals are
brought into contact. Sulphate of copper possesses to a
certain extent the property of expelling lead from the mer-
cury, copper being amalgamated and sulphate of lead
formed at the expense of the sulphuric acid of the copper
salt.

If a concentrated solution of sulphate of copper be allowed
to stand upon the lead amalgam, the action takes place quite
rapidly, mercury containing lead acting much more ener-
getically upon the copper solution than when perfectly
pure.

This salt, however, dees not appear, under any circum-
stances, to possess the power of completely driving out the
lead.

Another advantage derived from the addition of a small
quantity of the sulphate of copper is that mercury, under
certain conditions, when exposed to the solution, forms a
minute amount of copper amalgam, which causes the metal
to act with a somewhat, greater intensity in the decomposi-
tion of the silver sulphide than when perfectly pure. Iron,
as a reducing agent in the pan process, probably plays an
important part in bringing about the favorable results ob-
tained. This may occur, according to Mr. Hague, in three
ways:

First.— It. aids in a great measure the decomposition of
the chloride of silver.

Secondly. — It reduces the calomel formed during the
operation; the chlorine combining with the iron, goes into
solution, and the heavy metal is liberated. In this way it
not only prevents a chemical loss of mercury, but also
serves to keep the surface of that metal bright and clean,
which otherwise might be coated with a thin film of sub-
chloride, which would greatly destroy its activity.

Thirdly. — It undoubtedly assist.s directly in the amalga-
mation where the two metals are brought into close contact
with the easily reducible sulphurels. The successful and
continued operations on the Comstock without the aid of
any other chemical agents sufficiently prove this statement.
The experiments in treating argentite and iron filings with
mercury confirm the fact.

Humboldt, in speaking of the amalgamation problem in
Mexico, draws attention to this point, and remarks upon
the rapidity with which amalgamation was secured when
tbe two metals were triturated together with argentite. This I

action of iron is obtained not only from the constant agita-
tion maintained, which brings the, pulp and metal in con-
tact with the sides and bottom of the pan, but also from the
amount of iron disseminated in a fine condition through the
ore, produced by the wear of the stamps, shoes, and dies. —
Mining and Scientific Press.

Consumption of Wood.

It would seem from the following statistics that the in-
ventors of wood sawing and splitting machines have an ex-
traordinarily large field for the use and sale of improved
devices.

The Census Bureau has presented its figures respecting
the consumption of wood as fuel for the census year 1880.
The number of persons using wood for domestic purposes is
given at 32,375,074, and the record of the various States and

Territories, in amount and value, is shown in the following
table: *

FOR DOMESTIC USE.

COEDS. VALUE.

Alabama 6,076,754 $8,737,377

Arizona 170,017 784.573

Arkansas 3,933,400 5,095,831

California 1,748,063 7,693,731

Colorado 436,719 1,638,783

Connecticut 535,639 3,371,533

Dakota 433,948 3,038,300

Delaware 177,306 751,311

District of Columbia 36,903 80,706

Florida 609,046 1,230,413

Georgia „ 5,910,045 8,379,345

Idaho 99,910 383,689

Illinois 5,300,104 14.136 663

Indiana 7,059,874 13,334,729

r Iowa 4,090,649 14,611,280

Kansas 8.095,438 7,338,733

Kentucky 7,994,813 13,313,220

Louisiana 1,944,858 4,607,415

Maine 1,315,881 4,078,137

Maryland 1,153,910 3,170,941

Massachusetts , 890,041 4,613,363

Michigan 7,838,904 13,197,940

Minnesota 1,669,568 5,873,431

Mississippi 5,090,758 7,145,116

Missouri 4,016,373 8,633,465

Montana.... 119,947 460,638

Nebraska 908,188 3,859,843

Nevada 155,376 978,713

• New Hampshire 667.719 1,964,669

New Jersey 643,598 3,787.316

New Mexico 169,946 1,063,360

New York 11,390,975 37,539,364

Norlli Carolina .... 7.434,f90 9,019,569

Ohio 8,191,513 16,493.574

Oregon 482,254 1,354,511

Pennsylvania 7,361,963 15,067,651

Khodelsland 154,953 706.011

.•South Carolina;... :.»:....'-? 3;670.959 il. 505,997

Tennessee 8,081,611 10,674,722

Texas 4,883,852 10,177,311

Utah 171,933 418,389

Vermont 783,338 8,509,189

Virginia 5,416,113 10,404,134

Washington 184,386 499,904

West Virginia 3,341,069 3,374,701

Wisconsin 7,306,136 11,863,739

Wyoming 40,218 324,848

Total 140,537,439 $306,950,040

Other lines of consumption as a total for the United States
are represented by the following figures:

COBDS. VALUE.

Railroads 1,971,813 $5,126,714

Steamboats 787,868 1,873,083

In mining and amalgamating precious

metal 358,074 3,874,593

Other mining operations 266,771 673,692

Manufacture of brick and tile 1, 157.528 3,978,331

Manufacture of salt 540,448 131,681

Manufacture of wool 158,308 435 339

Grand total 145,778,137 $331,963,373

The consumption of charcoal in the twenty largest cities
in the United States, in the manufacture of iron and in the

production of the precious metals, is placed at 74, C08, 972

bushels, valued at $5,276,736. Maine and Massachusetts
imported some wood from Canada.

Car for Transporting' Live Fish.

One of the fish cars of the United States Fish Commission
was recently dispatched from Washington for California
with a cargo of live fish— some 18,000 in number — for stock-
ing Western waters. As described by the Washington Star,
these cars resemble in external appearance, and to a huge
extent in internal arrangements, a modern sleeping car.
There are compartments at each end, one for the superin-
tendent, the other for a kitchen. Through the middle por-
tion of the car an aisle runs between wide ledges, on each
side, for supporting the tin tanks in which the fish are car-
ried. There are two ice boxes next the superintendent's
room , for cooling the air of the compartment in which the
fish are carried. Delicate fish are transported in pails hold-
ing a gallon of water, and accommodating about twenty
fish each. These pails are then placed in the water tanks.

By this plan the young fish are protected from being
dashed to death by the motion of the cars. In transporting
carp the pails are sufficient. The motion of the water due
to the motion of the cars helps to keep the water well
aerated. Care is taken, however, to renew the water every
eight hours, and to remove promptly any fish that may die.
The loss by this method of carriage is very small.

Tlie Ice " Plant.

This annua] plant, the botanical name of which is Mesern-
brianihemum crysiallinum, and which is remarkable for the
transparent vesicles filled" with water, and resembling frozen
dewdrops, that cover its fleshy stem and large, thick leaves,
is also a striking instance of the elective power of roots,
whereby plants can take up from a complex soil the mate-
rials proper to them.

M. Mangon has cultivated it for seven or eight years, in
La Manche, on the same ground with cabbage, celery, etc.,
and while these latter had their normal composition, the ice
plant dried and burnt, furnished an ash with so much of
chlorine and alkalies that at first he was inclined to think
that some mistake had been made in weighing. Taking six
specimens, he finds the average percentage composition in
100 kilogrammes to be: water, 96'810; combustible matter,
1'800; ash (comprising chlorine, potash, soda, and other
mineral matters), 1390. The plant, then, is formed of a
weak solution of alkaline salts, held by a vegetable tissue
whose weight reaches less than 2 per cent of the total mass.
The ashes formed of salts of soda and potash form nearly
half (43 per cent) of the dried plant. This composition re-
calls that of seaweed. From one hectare (2 '47 acres) of ice
plants M. Mangon obtained 1,820 kilogrammes of ashes con-
taining 335 kilogrammes of chlorine,-as much soda, and 588
kilogrammes of potash, the latter capable of furnishing 863
kilogrammes of carbonate of soda, or nearly as much as is
got from incineration of one hectare's yield of the saltwort
at Alicante. M. Mangon asks whether the cultivation of the
ice plant as a potash plant might not be lucrative under cer-
tain conditions; in any case, it would probably be useful,
he thinks, in removing from the salt ground on the Medi-
terranean coasts (its place of origin) the excess of alkaline
salts which render it unproductive.

Novel Gas Burner.

The latest novelty in the way of gas burners is now to bb
seen in action at the Crystal Palace, London, so says the
Lancet, and all who see it will confess that the inventor liaa
succeeded in getting a most powerful light by the consump-
tion of a very moderate amount of gas. The light is evolved
from a cage of platinum wire, which is kept at a white heat.
An ordinary gas pipe is fitted with a Bunsen burner of
rather special construction, and the flame is further supplied
with a jet of air under pressure, so that practically the
Lewis light consists of a platinum gauze cage kept at a white
heat by means of ati automatic blowpipe. It is needless to
say that special arrangements are necessary for supplying
the air jet to, the flame; but the arrangements are compara-
tively simple, and will not, we think, militate against the
introduction of the Lewis light. It need not be said that the
light gives off no smoke, and that the combustion of the car-
bon is perfect. Further, it is not influenced by any amount
of draught, and cannot be extinguished or sensibly affected
by blowing upon it, so that the light requires no protection
in the shape of chimney or globe. The light given off is
equal to that of five candles for every cubic foot of gas con-
sumed per hour, and an ordinary Lewis light consumes
twelve and a half feet per hour, and gives off the light of
fifty candles. The light can easily be made to ventilate.
The heat given off is necessarily considerable, and we think
the light will prove more generally useful for street lighting
than for inside lighting. Unless provided with means of
ventilation, the Lewis light would certainly be too hot for
use in ordinary sitting rooms.

Photographing Speech.

The Photo. News says: The new system of teaching the
deaf and dumb by directing them to look at a person speak-
ing, and to note the position of his lips in giving utterance
to different sounds, has now been in practice for several
years on the Continent; and, as our readers are probably
aware, has also been adopted in this country with some suc-
cess. A Continental teacher has now hit upon a plan of
furthering the instruction by having recourse to photo-
graphy. A model has been chosen whose lips are particu-
larly expressive in their action, and a series of photographs
taken of him while pronouncing the different sounds that
go to make up a language. Such a "speaking likeness"
has been obtained, that, in many cases, even ati untrained
observer has little difficulty in guessing the letter on the lips
of the model, as the photographs are displayed one after
another. Mr. Warnerke exhibited several of the pictures at
the last meeting of the Photographic Society.

Stopping Engines by Electricity.

We lately described an electric apparatus, for closing the
valve of an engine and thereby stopping it. This apparatus
is now at work in some of the large mills at Dundee, in
Scotland. In describing the apparatus at work, the Dundee
Advertiser says: "The huge engine in Manhattan Works
(Colonel Sandeman's), working at from six hundred to seven
hundred horse-power, and driving a fly-wheel of about thirty,
five tons weight, formerly took two minutes to come to rest
after the steam had been., taken off. This apparatus has
been fitted to it, and the "ponderous engine is now brought
up in thirty seconds. To see this powerful, majestic piece
of machinery, the developer of power for a large range of
works, almost immediately brought to a standstill by the
mere touching of a button at the far end of the building is
an impressive illustration of the easy control of enormous
force by wisely ordered arrangements. To mill-owners the
utility of the apparatus will be evident."

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

mmtxiu %wttitm.

121

KEOENT INVENTION.
Improved Harness Loop.

This invention belongs to the class of loops having two
openings for the strap or straps formed by an intermediate
plate to which the strap is riveted, and it consists in a me-
tallic double loop with the top plate and the bottom plate,
located aside from the plane of the rivet, which is inserted
through an intermediate plate. The side plates may be
made narrow to save material, or they may be made broad

enough to cover the
edges of the strap. When
made broad they will add
materially to the strength
of the loop, and at the
same time present a sur-
face which may be ren-
dered highly ornamental
to the harness. In attach-
ing the strap to the loop,
one end of the strap is to be doubled upon itself as shown
in the sectional view, so as to include the intermediate plate
between the folds, and the rivet is then to be passed through
the folds and said plate and secured in the ordinary manner.
The heads of the rivet will thus lie in contact with the yield-
ing leather, and will be less exposed to the danger of being
wrenched off than when in contact with the metallic plate.
The strain upon the strap or trace, as the case may be, will
thus be thrown upon the center of the rivet instead of one
end, and being thus equalized., there is less danger of the
parts separating under strain. This invention has been pat-
ented by Mr. Henry A. Pott, of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

<» < > > OK

Effects of Iron on Digestion.
In an inaugural dissertation published at Berlin, Dr. A.
Dilsterhoff records the results of some experiments bearing
on this subject. One gramme v.f fibrin was added to twenty
c.c. of artificial gastric juice, and during digestion equiva-
lent quantities of various preparations of iron were also
added. At the end of the process the undigested fibrin was
dried and weighed, and the quantity of soluble syntonin in
the solution was also estimated. The time of digestion was
in one case three hours ten minutes, in another it was seven
hours and a half. In the first series - 0614 gramme of metallic
iron was in each case added, in the form of pyrophosphate,
perchloride, and protolactate respectively. In the second
series various other preparations were used, the amount of
metallic iron being in each case equivalent to 0077 gramme.
Other experiments were made with white of egg, the amount
of albumen precipitated by boiling after digestion being
estimated. The outcome of the experiment is, that the
organic salts of iron seriously hinder and check peptic diges-
tion. Probably the hydrochloric acid *of the gastric juice
displaces the organic acids from the iron salts and so is used
up ; while the free organic acids in the digestive fluids are
far less powerful digestive agents than the hydrochloric
acid. But this cannot be the only cause at work, for per-
chloride and phosphate also tend to hinder digestion. Even
reduced iron has a similar effect, for it partially dissolves in
the juices, forming chlorides. Its solubility, like that of the
phosphate, is however not very great. Ferrous salts seem
to interfere less with digestion than feme salts. — Practi-
tioner.

Proposed Improvement In Soda Manufacture.

A very interesting and exhaustive paper on the present
position of the soda industry was read before the London
Section of the Society of Chemical Industry on January 8,
1883, by Mr. Walter Weldon, P.R.S., chairman of the sec-
tion. In the course of his remarks the author referred to
the conversion of coal into coke by the user, and the utili-
zation of the by-products and gases in the following terms:

There has come to me from Newcastle a very bold but, I
venture to think, quite practical suggestion, the result of
which can hardly fail to be of enormous importance, not
only to the soda industry, but to almost all industries what-
ever. That suggestion is that the soda makershould entirely
cease to use raw coal as fuel, but should convert all his
coal into coke, collecting for sale the oil and ammonia
evolved during its conversion into coke, and himself using
for heating purposes the gases evolved during the coking
operation and the coke itself. It is believed that in the
Newcastle district, at any rate, by this mode of proceeding
the soda maker would obtain his fuel virtually for nothing.
In that district there is produced pef annum some two mil-
lions of tons of very small coal or " duff," which is almost a
waste product, and which, singularly enough, yields more
oil than the more costly kinds of Newcastle coal, while at
the same time yielding a very fair coke, sufficiently good, at
any rate, for use in the furnaces of chemical works, espe-
cially when its combustion is assisted by that of the gases
from the ovens in which the coke is produced; and the
value of the oil and ammonia obtained when this "duff" is
coked in ovens to which the Jameson system is applied, is
greater than the cost of the " AuS," plus the cost of coking
it. And it is probable that improved condensing arrange-
ments will render the yield, if not of oil, at any rate of am-
monia, so much greater than the yield hitherto actually
realized as to enable the same result to be obtained in the
case of ordinary steam coal, not only in the Newcastle dis-
trict, but in the Lancashire district also. If so, the cost of
producing Leblanc soda in both districts will be diminished
by almost the total amount of the present cost of Leblanc
soda for fuel. I say " almost," because, so far as one can

see, the use of raw coal for "mixing" in the blackash pro-
cess must still be continued. And it seems to me that this
idea cannot but be as applicable to almost all other indus-
tries as to the soda industry; while the result to the material
well being of mankind of its general application, it is utterly
beyond the power of any imagination adequately to con-
ceive. This idea means, among other things, cheaper fuel
for all purposes, an enormously increased supply of agricul-
tural produce, and the entire, suppression of smoke even in
the busiest centers of industry. It means that manufactur-
ing towns by and by shall no longer deserve such names
as that which Mr. Matthew Arnold recently applied to St.
Helens, and may even become tolerable in the sight of Mr.
Ruskin. And for my own part I venture to think that the
same idea might be applied even to the fuel required for do-
mestic purposes, rendering London absolutely free from
smoke, and pea soup fogs only things of tradition. I think
that the time will come when our gas works will be replaced,
atleasttoalargeextent, by establishments in which coal will
be treated for the production of coke, illuminating oils,
ammonia, and heating gases: the coke to be burnt in our do-
mestic fire places, the oils to he used for lighting the interiors
of our bouses, the ammonia to be employed in agricul-
ture, to cheapen and render more abundant our supplies of
food, and the gases to be burnt for raising steam for driving
dynamos for lighting our streets by the electric arc.

Awards for Inventions to Workmen.

In respect to a scheme of awards to workmen which has
been established by Messrs. Denny in their shipbuilding
yard at Dumbarton, we learn, says Iron, that the com-
mittee's annual report for the year just closed is gratifying.
The committee state that during the year 1882 they have had
under consideration twenty-seven new and four postponed
claims. Of these twenty-one have been considered worthy
of award, seven have been rejected, and three are still
under consideration. When compared with the preceding
year, there is a slight decrease in the number of claims re-
ceived; but, on the other hand, the awards made are all but
equal, while some of the inventions are of even greater
merit and value than any previously brought forward. The
committee also state that the total sum paid in grants is
about one-half more than last year, owing to the greater
value of some of the claims, and the more liberal scale of
payment adopted by the committee, as was intimated at
the beginning of the year. The joiners, as in former years,
take the first place in the list of the successful claimants,
about one-half of the awards going to that department alone.
Since the awards scheme was started two and^a half years
ago, the committee have received seventy-one claims for ad-
judication, of which number fifty were considered worthy
of award; the total sum paid amounting to £171, being £18
in 1880, £02 in 1881, and £91 in 1882. In contradiction to
the belief entertained by many that the workmen would
soon exhaust their resources in the matter of invention and
improvements, the report goes on to show that the reverse is
the case, as the past year has witnessed better results than
any preceding one. Some of the improvements have
evinced considerable inventive talent, and in two cases the
highest award the committee are empowered to make was
granted.

[According to the above account, fifty useful inventions
have been made, for which $855 have been paid, being an
average of a trifle over $17 for each. Rather poor encour-
agement, that, for genius.]

■ « in >

American Fruit for England.

Consul King, writing from Birmingham to the State De-
partment, says: Large quantities of American produce con-
tinue to be sold here, and many American " notions " are to
be found. One or two firms seem to do a good business in
selling American stoves and ranges; and I think that the
dealers in American meat find the prejudice against it has
generally disappeared, now that, for a time, the supply has
been uncertain,

I have spoken before of American apples and have sug-
gested more careful packing, but I venture to urge this
again. These apples are generally admitted to be better
than European apples, and the taste for them is general, yet
several dealers here have told me that they must cease to
deal in them, because they arrive in such a condition that it
is necessary to put a price upon the few that remain sound
which purchasers object to paying.

I have frequently wondered if our grapes, by careful pack-
ing, might not compete with Spanish grapes in the English
markets. Enormous quantities of Spanish grapes are sold
in this country. Very fair ones can be bought at retail at
sixpence a pound. They come carefully packed in sawdust,
but they are tasteless, and I feel sure that if American grapes
could be offered for sale here in as good condition, the va-
riety and superiority and individuality of their flavor would
recommend them, even at a slightly higher price.

Mb. E. F. Loiseatj, inventor of the process and ma-
chinery for manufacturing the pressed fuel from anthracite
coal dust, who two years ago lost the sight of one eye from
a cataract, has been again unfortunate in suddenly losing the
use of the other eye from the same cause. . Recently while
returning from the works at Port Richmond; he was nearly
run over by a cart, and had to be taken home by a gentle-
man who volunteered to accompany him.

Birds and Telegraph Wires.

Some very curious observations have been made on the
German telegraph lines at the instance of the Secretary of
the Post Office. Heir Massmann stated in a paper read be-
fore the Electrotechnic Society of Berlin, that in districts
where there are no trees he found that the smaller birds of
prey, such as crows and magpies, are very fond of roosting
on telegraph poles, while sparrows, starlings, an,d swallows
frequently alight on them in great numbers. Swallows like
to build under the eaves where wires run into telegraph
offices, and sometimes cause an " earth " contact.

Contacts between wire and wire are frequently caused by
large birds, such as bustards, storks, swans, and wild ducks.
They cause the wires to swing and sometimes to break. Ac-
cidents of this kind were frequent when the wires ran by
highroads, along which young geese were driven to their
pastures Smaller birds, even partridges, are generally
killed by the shock of striking the wires. They do not
cause much damage to the lines. Holes are often pecked
through the poles by woodpeckers (the Picas martius, or
black woodpecker, the P. viridis, or green woodpecker, and
the P. major, or piebald woodpecker). These birds spare
no kind of wood, unprepared pine and oak poles, as well as
poles treated with sulphate of copper, chloride of zinc, or
sublimate of mercury. Some even state that they will at-
tack creosoted poles. The theory that the birds mistake the
vibrations of the wires in the poles for insects humming is
doubted by Herr Massmann, who states that they often find
insects in the dry poles.

■»««>».

The latest Electrical Discovery,

The Rev. Mr. Gilbert, during an address at Christ Church
the other night, remarks the Otago Times, while speaking of
the telephone, asked his audience if they would be aston-
ished if he were to tell them that it was now proved to be
possible to convey by means of electricity vibrations of light
—to not only speak with your distant friend, but actually to
see him. The electroscope — the name of the instrument
which enabled us to do this — was the very latest scientific
discovery, and to Dr. Gnidrah, of Victoria, belonged the
proud distinction^ The trial of this wonderful instrument
took place at Melbourne on the 31st October last in the
presence of some forty scientific and public men, and was a
great success. Sitting in a dark room, they saw projected
on a large disk of white burnished metal the race course at
Flemington with its myriad hosts of active beings. Each
minute detail stood out with perfect fidelity to the original,
and as they looked at the wonderful picture through binocu-
lar glasses, it was difficult to imagine that they were not
actually on the course itself and moving among those whose
actions they could so completely scan.

Spencer B. Driggs.

Spencer B. Driggs died at his residence, 3 East Forty-first
street, in this city, on January 20, 1883. He was born near
Auburn, N. Y., on January 5, 1822. In 1855 he came to
New York city and organized the Driggs Patent Piano Com-
pany, his instruments containing valuable improvements.
Mr. Driggs will be "best remembered by his success in drain-
ing the Hackensack meadows, which comprise that great
swampy region lying between Jersey City and Newark,
N. J., a task which others had attempted and failed in
accomplishing. He laid nine miles of iron dike around a
part of the meadows, bought by the late S. N. Pike, of Cin-
cinnati. After the land was drained a part was sold to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and the round houses and
workshops now standing on the meadows were built on the
drained land. The railroad company paid $1,200 an acre
for the swamp which Mr. Driggs had paid $25 an- acre for.
Tobacco, corn, potatoes, and hay are now grown in other
parts of the meadows which were once a salt marsh. Mr.
Driggs' mind was full of novel plans. At the time of his
decease he had just completed a new system of running
gears for railway cars, that he expected would greatly
reduce the costs of transportation.

-. « iii »

Archaeological Discovery in Asia Minor.

A discovery has been made lately by a Bavarian archaeolo-
gist, Herr Sestet', at the point where the Euphrates bursts
through the Taurus Range. Here, in a wild, romantic dis-
trict, lying between Madatieh and Sanisat, he found a line of
megalithic monuments, averaging between 55 and 60 feet in
height, and bearing inscriptions They are in a remarkable
state of preservation, and Herr Sester has no doubt that they
formed a part of some great national sanctuary, dating back
some 3,000 years or more. There was formerly at this place
a necropolis of the old Commagene kings, so that it seems rea
sonable to attribute these colossal monuments to this ancient
people, the hereditary foes of the Assyrians. Very little is
known about them. The classical writers allude to them
only in casual passages, and the arrow-headed inscriptions,
although mentioning them very often, have hitherto yielded
scanty information.

The new five-cent piece just issued is a little larger and
thinner than the old one, and possesses the same lead appear-
ance. On one side is the head of Liberty, the date, and the
usual thirteen stars. On the reverse is a V in a wreath of
cotton, wheat, and corn, surrounded by the inscriptions,
"United States of America, ''and "E pluribus unum." The
letter V in the center does not indicate if the value of the
coin is five cents, or five dollars, which seems to be an un-
fortunate oversight.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

122

Scientific %mmtm.

[February 24, 1883.

ENGINEERING INVENTIONS.

A car brake of simple device has been pa-
tented by Messrs. Alden D. Kiiborn and William F.
Smith, of Tuscon, Ariz. Between the brake beams on
car trucks the connecting rod is provided with springs
eo arranged as to produce an elastic connection between
the forward and rear brakes.

Ad improved car coupling has been patented
by Mr. Edward S. Carter, of Keokuk, la. The inven-
tion consists in a coupling loop or link which is arched
upward in the direction of its length, one end of the
link being secured upon a shaft, so that the points of
bearing are confined to the pin heads, and the loop is
applied to the drawhead without providing a flat sur-
face for the link, as is required in the ordinary coupling.

An improved car coupling has been patented
by Mr. Asa Kenton Owen, of Tennessee, 111. The in-
vention consists in a drawhead having a recess in the
upper surface, and a raised outer end provided with a
vertical recess. A tranverse rod passes through the
drawhead and through the slot in the disk, and has a
plate or block which is in the slot, so that the arm will
be swung when the tranverse rod is turned.

Mr. RossB. Meeker, of Sandford's Corners,
N. Y., has patented an improvement which relates to
the laying of the rails on railroads. The invention con-
sists of metal ties, stay bars, and joint connections con-
trived for dispensing entirely with the wood ties now
in use. These are of a more substantial and durable
construction, and may be adjusted to the rail quite
readily.

A noiseless and durable railroad frog has
been patented by Mr. William H. Waters, of Muskegon,
Mich., which consists in a filling of cast metal applied
between the side rails of the frog and around the point
by pouring the molten metal so that the block fits
snugly beneath tbe heads of the guard rails and to the
flanges, and is thus retained securely in place. The
metal becomes chill hardened by the surrounding iron
and becomes immovable, consequently there is no rat-
tle when the train is passing over the frog.

Messrs. Dudley W. Haines and Alwyn D.
Hankerson, of Readfield, Me., have patented a car
coupling of novel and useful construction. By the im-
provement just patented the brakeman is able to couple
and uncouple from either side or top of the car without
passing between the cars when being brought together,
thus avoiding the danger of being crushed. When it
is desired to connect two cars, the coupling pin is
raised by a crank attachment operated by a chain, one
end of which is secured to the corner of the car, and
the other end to the crank which raises the pin.

An improved rock drill of light, simple, but
durable construction has been patented by Mr. William
J. Barber, of Covington, Ind. It consists of a screw
threaded drill rod mounted upon a firmly planted tripod,
and connected with it is a cam wheel furnished with a
handle for turning the same, by means of which wheel
the drill rod is elevated in the air and then suddenly
permitted to fall, and at the same lime the drill rod is
rotated upon its axis. v As the hole is deepened the drill
is readjusted on the rod, so as to reach deeper in the
drill hole.

An improved combustion chamber for steam
boilers has been patented by Mr. James Scott, of Pitts-
burg, Pa. The invention consists of a combustion
chamber supplied with gases froma blastfurnace using
either coke, coal, or charcoal, and as soon as the cham-
ber becomes heated, air is forced by a blower into the
combustion chamber. The air passing through the pass-
ages to the chamber becomes highly heated and mingles
with the gases in the best possible conditions for pro-
moting combustion. In this manner the heated gases
are utiliz:d, and it is claimed that no solid fuel is re-
quired to maintain combustion.

A system of transporting cars on a single
track elevated above the ground is the subject of a
patent issued to Charles F. M. Lartigue, Paris, France.
The invention consists of a light rail mounted upon a
frame, which is firmly planted in the ground. Upon
this rail the car is made to run, which is constructed of
light metal and mounted upon two wheels, and which
carries the panniers of the wagon on each side. The
object of the inventon is to provide a cheap and simple
method of transporting merchandise and troops, and is
especially applicable to removing coal and ores from
mines.

An improved tipping wagon has been pa-
tented by Mr. Henry Grafton, of London, England.
The wagonis of such construction that the truck may be
tipped at either side (or end, as the case may be) and
the truck body may be given a combined movement of
translation and oscillation, whereby the load maybe
discharged quite clear of the rails, and even to a greater
distance therefrom than is possible with an ordinary
pivoted truck of the same height and form of body, the
tipping and righting of the body being an easy opera-
tion, requiring no gear liable to be fouled by dirt or to
get out of order with rough usage.

An improved propeller, the object of which
is to afford a simple arrangement of the blades by which
the vessel may be steered in case of injury of the steer-
ing apparatus, has been patented by Mr. Ephraim Shay,
ofHaring, Mich. Theinventionconsistsin the combina-
tion with a tube, situated within the stern of the hull of
a vessel and open on each side, of a gearing appa-
ratus operated by a shaft, by which are set in motion
two propellers fixed on oppositely rotating shafts,
whereby the two propellers will move in opposite di-
rections, but co-operate always to force the water in the
same direction.

An improved caloric engine has been pa-
tented by Mr. Thomas Beesley, of Muscatine, la.
This invention relates to the application of force gene-
rated by expansion of air and water by electric cur-
rents, this force being utilized for action on a piston
fitted for reciprocation in a cylinder. For heating and
expanding the air and converting the water to sieam,
an electric arc is used inside the generating chamber.
The combining of a pump for supplying water in jets,
and a pump for supplying air, with a generating cham-
ber, heated by an electric current £pr producing ex-
pansion of the air, and conversion of the water to steam ,
comprises the prime feature of the invention.

A novel car coupling has been patented by
Mr. George A. Cline, of Philadelphia, Pa., which con-
sists in a drawhead in which is pivoted a U-shaped
piece having a long and a short shank, provided with
hooks at the ends. The U-shaped piece is pressed in
the direction in which the books project by a spring
acting on its rear end, whereby, when two drawheads
strike together, the hooks will catch on each other and
couple the cars automatically. If the cars are to be un-
coupled, the hooks of the U-shaped piece are moved
from each other by turning shafts provided with cam-
lugs which acton wings at the rear ends of the pivoted
U-shaped pieces, and thus press these pieces in the in-
verse direction of that in which they are pressed by the
springs, and permit them to be disengaged.

Mr. Leo Ehrlich, of St. Louis, Mo., has pa-
tented a portable transfer track for street railroads, the
object of which is to provide means for enabling a
car to "skirt'* or pass around any obstruction on
the road without the necessity of jumping the track.
The invention is designed more particularly for street
cars, whose travel is frequently arrested by the break-
ing down of heavy vehicles on the track, but it may
be used upon steam railways, in transferring cars
from one track to another, or from a track to a siding
without the necessity of running to a switch. To
accomplish this a pair of skid rails with tapering ends
for each track and a set of transfer rails are provided,
to span the skid rails. Upon these rails platform truck
frames are placed to support the car which is being
transferred from one track to the other.

A stock car of improved form has been pa-
tented by Mr. Adolph V. Anderson, of Virginia City,
Nevada. The invention consists in a stock car with
extension partitions forming stalls, and having at the
top feed compartments provided with discharge tubes,
and at the ends water tanks, provided with discharge
pipes and faucets, so that the feed and water will be
discharged into feed boxes and water troughs in i he
stalls in a most effective manner. The rear ends of the
stalls are separated by bars hinged to the car frame, and
engaging with the edges of the extension partitions to
prevent the animals from backing into adjacent stalls.
To the feed bos bottom is attached an arm, which is
connected by a bar with the pivoted bars of the exten-
sion partition, so that the bottom of the feed box will
be swung up and down by the extension and contrac-
tion of the said partition. The water troughs are hung
upon sliding plates connected by rods provided with
levers which are pivoted to the car frame, and con-
nected with the water discharging faucets, held up by
springs, so that the variation in the amount of water in
the troughs will operate the faucets to admit and shut
off the supply. The cars are connected by flexible
pipes and valves, so that the tanks of all the cars in the
train can be filled from one car or source.

MECHANICAL INVENTIONS.
Mr. David G. Wyeth, of Newark, O., has
patented improvements in buggy tops, the principal ad-
vantages of which rest in placing the braces inside the
top, rendering it easy for the occupant to open or close
the top without leaving his seat.

An improved fanning apparatus for cooling
the atmosphere in rooms has been patented by Mr.
Jacob Reimers, of Davenport, la. The invention con-
sists of a series of fan wings or blades mounted on a
rotary shaft, and contained within a casing which is
provided with a series of tubular arms or pipes for con-
ducting the air in different directions.

A simple wive twister has been patented
by Messrs. Axel L. Sjolinder and Emanuel Larson, of
South Pueblo, Col. It consists of a baseplate having a
concave channel on its lower side, through which passes
the wire to be twisted, and with a slotted cylindrical
twister located in the middle of the channel, which is
operated by beveled pinion wheels turned by a crank.

A fish trap has recently been patented by
Mr. James M. Frazer, of Portland, Ore. The invention
consists in a trap or cage having converging rows of
staple shaped bars affixed to an upright frame, the cage
or trap being elevated or lowered by any of the known
means. A lead net having a mouth, which is held against
the action of the current conducts the fishes into the
trap.

An adjustable saw guide, designed to do
away with the ordinary and dangerous mode of setting
or guiding circular saws, has been patented by Mr.
Hiram Carman, of Portland, Pa. By the ordinary
method the saws are guided while in motion by means
of two set screws— one on each side— carried by station-
ary jaws. In this improved guide the jaws are made
adjustable by means of a screw, so that they can
be moved to guide the saw while the saw is in motion
without danger to the sawyer.

An improved trap for preventing foul gases
from rising in waste pipes has been patented by Mr.
Herman l J ietsch, of Flatbush, N. Y. The invention
consists in a trap formed of two vessels, one contained
within the other. Into the inner vessel an inlet pipe
projects from the top of the outer vessel, which inlet
pipe is provided with an outwardly projecting spout or
collar, whereby, when the suction in the soil pipets too
great, the valve opens and admits air, thus preventing
the siphoning out of the water in the inner vessel of
the trap.

Mr. Peter Straith, of Toronto, Canada, has
recently patented a machine for sharpening the knives
of reapers and mowers. In use the cutter bar is held by
an adjustable frame constructed so that the bar can be
turned back from the stone. Devices are also provided
whereby the cutters are given an oscillating movement
upon the stone. On the axle of the grindstone a
pinion meshes into the driving pinion, which is so pro-
portioned and arranged that the knife cannot reverse
its movement on the stone in one place more than once,
thus insuring an even wear upon the stone.

An improved washing machine has been
patented by John P, AdamB, of Eliza, 111. The inven-
tion consists of a tub lined with galvanized sheet iron,
and furnished with a lower and upper set of rubbers
and a lever by which these several rubbers are operated

at once. The clothes to be washed are placed between
the upper and lower rubbers. Then by working the
lever horizontally the clothes will be forced between
the rubbers. By working the lever vertically the
clothes are pounded, so that the washing is done quickly
and thoroughly.

An improved shutter worker, arranged in
such a way that window blinds and shutters may be
controlled from the interior of the building, has been
patented by Mr. John W. Harrison, of Wheeling, W.
Ya. The invention consists in a shaft passing through
the wall and operating bevel pinion wheels which con-
nect this shaft with the hinge of the blind, and by
which the blind may be brought into any position re-
quired by turning the handle attached to the shaft from
the inside of the house. Devices are likewise furnished
for holding the blind in the position desired.

A novel window shutter opener has been
patented by Messrs. John J. Donahoe and Peter J.
Finn, of New Orleans, La. By this arrangement the
shutter is fastened by a pin, and is operated by a rod
which is suspended to a lever. The lever of each win-
dow is attached by a rod to another longer lever, which
is so adjusted that the operator by pulling upon a sin-
gle rod detaches the fastenings of all the shutters on
one side of a building by one operation. Springs are
arranged between the shutter and window sill for forc-
ing the shutter open when the pin is withdrawn.

An improved lathe for turning ovals, hat
blocks, etc , has been patented by Mr. Michael Quinn,
of Fishkill Landing, N. Y. The invention consists in
a lathe constructed with a shaft carrying a stationary
plate, and an adjustable eccentric plate, also a plate
carrying a work holding plate, and provided with flanges
to receive and slide upon the adjustable plate provided
with flanges to receive and slide upon a bar connected
with a pulley which revolves upon the stationary shaft.
The work holding plate is thus made to slide back and
forth as it is rotated.

Mr. Charles E. Brennan, of Charlottesville,
Va., has recently patented an automatic fire extin-
guisher, the object of which is to provide an appara-
tus that shall be brought into operation automatically
when a fire occurs in a building or other place contigu-
ous to the machine. In case a fire occurs in a room,
as soon as the temperature reaches a high enough point
to fuse metal, a weight and lever will thereby be
released, and falling opens a valve which connects with
the pipes for conveying water from the tank or reser-
voir. The pipes are provided with sprinkling attach-
ment and extend around the room. The moment the
valve is relieved by the fusible metal the water com-
mences to flow through the sprinklers about the room,
and thus the fire is subdued.

A novel rice hulling machine has been pa-
tentedby Mr. William C. Howard, of. Grahamville, S. C.
The invention consists of a stone mounted on a plat-
form which may be elevated or depressed by weighted
levers attached to the platform, their fulcrum resting
on the frame which supports the machine. The stone
is concave in its upper side, and in it revolves a wood
cylinder faced with steel plates which answer the double
purpose of feeding the rice to the stone and hulling the
kernel of its chaff. Between the cylinder and the steel
plates strips of India-rubber are interposed, which allow
the plates to yield to tbe rice under treatment. The ob-
ject of the adjusting weights is to regulate the pressure
upon the rice as it is being fed between the cylinder
and stone.

Mr. William A. Allen,- of Jersey City, N. J.,
has patented an improved drying house or kiln. The im-
provements relate to kilns for drying kindling wood ma-
terial in mass, and particularly the slabs or refuse from
saw mill logs, which, being thoroughly water-soaked
when sawed from the log, requires to be dried in order
tofitTt for use. The great Jifliculty experienced in
this work- with the kilns heretofore employed has been
in getting rid of the moist air or vapors driven off from
the mass of material. This condenses rapidly, and un-
less means are provided for keeping it in a heated and
rarefied condition, it is a source of great trouble and an
noyance. Mr. Allen has devised the means foi obviating
the difficulties named and for insuring the proper work-
ing of the drying apparatus at all seasons of the year.

A novel sewing machine motor has been
patented by Mr. David L. Miller, of Madison, N. J.
This motor is intended to be operated by tbe foot or by
the act of rocking. A rocking platform is provided for
the operator to rest his feet upon, while he sits in a
chair the latter of which is attached to the platform,
which platform is pivoted to an upright lever through
which the power is transmitted. The act of leaning
back and forward by the operator oscillates the chair,
which transmits motion and power to the upright lever.
The upper end of the vertical lever is provided with a
double rack and pinion, which is driven by the power
conveyed by the foot rest or by the rocking movement
of the operator, as the case may be. This invention
possesses much ingenuity, and is very simple and inex-
pensive to construct.

MISCELLANEOUS INVENTIONS.

A spoon holder for cooking vessels has
been patented by Mr John A. Hemsteger, of Piqua, O.
The invention consists hi combining with a sauce pan or
other vessel used in cooking operations, a device for
holding a spoon, the object 4>eing to save the trouble
and annoyance caused by the spoon slipping into the
vessel.

Mr. George A. Fitch, of Oakland, N. Y.,
has patented an improved speaking telephone. This
invention relates to an improvement in receiving instru-
ments for the electrical speaking telephone. The in-
vention consists of an apparatus in which a strip of
suitable material is connected to a diaphragm and passed
between two rotating rollers, one of which rollers is
supported in the armature of an electro-magnet. The
armature is provided with an adjusting spring to pre-
vent it from responding to induced or minor currents.
When an electric current is passed through the rotating
rollers and the strip, the friction between the said parts
will be increased or diminished in proportion to the
varying intensity of the current, and a corresponding
vibration of the diaphragm will be produced.

§ wmm ma %mvmi

The Charge/or Insertion under this head is One DoUaf
a line for each insertion : about eight words to a line.
Advertisements must be received at publication office
as early as Thursday morning to appear in next issue.

Pandora's box was full of evils. A bos of Ester-
brook's Pens, on tbe contrary, contains one hundred
and forty-four perfect pens. The stationer will supply
them.

Lyman's Gear Chart. How to lay out gear teeth.
Price 50 cents. E Lyman, C.B., New Haven, Conn.
For Mill Mach'y & Mill Furnishing, see illus. adv. p. 110.

Soapstone Packing and all kinds of Steam Packing,
in lots to suit. Greene, Tweed & Co., New York.

Engine Lathe, 36 inches bed by 6 inches swing, $70.
Cutting-off Machine, 2& hole in spindle, $100. Geo. F.
Shedd, Waltham, Mass.

Drop Forgings. Billings & Spencer Co. See adv., p. 109.

Fire Brick, Tile, and Clay Retorts, all shapes. Borgner
& O'Brien, M'f'rs, 23d St., above Race, Phila., Pa.

Peck's Patent Drop Press. See adv., page 110.

'fcSteam Hammers, Improved Hydraulic Jacks, and Tube
Expanders, ft. Dudgeon. 24 Columbia St., New York.

Diamond Planers. J. Dickinson, 64 Nassau St., N. Y.

50,000 Emerson's Hand Book of Saws. New Edition.
Free. A ddress Emerson, Smith & Co., Beaver Falls, Pa.

Eagle Anvils, 10 cents per pound. Fully warranted.

For Pat. Safety Elevators, Hoisting Engines. Friction
Clutch Pulleys, Cut-off Coupling*, see Frisbie's ad. p. 110.
Gould &Eberhardt's Machinists' Tools. See adv.,p. 110.

For Heavy Punches, etc., see illustrated advertise-
ment of Hilles & Jones, on page 108.

Barrel, Key, Hogshead, Stave Mach'y. See adv. p. 108.

Combined Concentric and Eccentric Universal and In-
dependent Jaw Chucks. The Pratt & Whitney Co., Hart-
ford, Conn.

Mineral Lands Prospected, Artesian Wells Bored, by
Pa. Diamond Drill Co. Box 423. Pottsville. Pa. See p. 108.

Catechism of the Locomotive, 625 pages. 350 engrav-
ings. Most accurate, complete, and easily understood
book on the Locomotive. Price$2.50. Send for catalogue
of railroad books. The Railroad Gazette, 73 B'way, N.Y.

For best low price Planer and Matcher, and latest
Improved Sash, Door, and Bllnl Machinery, Send for
catalogue to Rowley & Hermance, Williamsport, Pa.

Steam Pumps. See adv. Smith, Yaile & Co., p. 110.

Scientific Books. See page 108. 100 page Catalogue
free. E. & F. N. Spon. 44 Murray Street, N. Y.

Valuable manufacturing property for sale at Taunton ,
Mass., byGeo.PlaceMachineryCo. ,121 Chambers St.,N.Y.

Magic lanterns, stereopticons, cond. lenses, etc., on
hand and made to order, C. Beseler ,218 Centre St., N. Y.

See New American File Co.'s Advertisement, p. 94.

Curtis Pressure Regulator and Steam Trap. See p. 76.

Free. — " Useful Hints on Steam," a book of 96 pages,
illustrated. By mail, 15 cents. E. B. Roberts, 107 Lib-
erty Street, New York.

The Portable Electric Light Co. are having large sales
for their Portable Electric Lighter. See adv.

Cope & Maxwell MTg Co.'s Pump adv., page 77.
Wood work'g Mach'y. BollstoneMach.Co. Adv., p. 77.

The Sweetland Chuck. See illus. adv., p. 78.

Knives for Wood working Machinery. Book binders, and
Paper Mills. Taylor, Stiles & Co., Riegelsville, N. J.
Railway and Machine Shop Equipment.

Send for Monthly Machinery List

to the George Place Machinery Company,

121 Chambers and 103Reade Streets, New York.

Improved Skinner Portable Engines. Erie, Pa.

Contracts taken to Manuf. small goods in sheet or
cast brass, steel, or iron. Estimates given on receipt of
model. H. C. Goodrich. 66 to 72 Ogden Place, Chicago.

25" Lathes of the best design. G. A. Ohl & Co.,
East Newark, N. J.
For Power & Economy, Alcott's Turbine, Mt. Holly, N- J.

"How to Keep Boilers Clean." Book sent free by
James F. Hotchkiss, 84 John St., New York.

Engines, 10 to 50 horse power, complete, with govern-
or, $260 to $550. Satisfaction guaranteed. More than
seven hundred in use. For circular address Heald &
Morris (Drawer 127), Baldwinsville, N. Y.

Brass Finishers' Turret Lathes, 13J^ x 4, $165. Lodge,
Barker & Co., 189 Pearl St., Cincinnati, O.

Wanted.— Patented articles or machinery to make
and Introduce. Gaynor & Fitzgerald, New Haven, Conn.

Latest Improved Diamond Drills. Send for circular
to M. C. Bullock Mfg. Co.. 80 to 88 Market St., Chicago, III.

Water purified for all purposes, from household sup-
plies to those of largest cities, by the improved filters
manufactured by the Newark Filtering Co., 177 Com-
merce St.. Newark, N. J.

Guild & Garrison's Steam Pump Works, Brooklyn,
N. Y. Steam Pumping Machinery of every descrip-
tion.

First Class Engine Lathes, 20 inch swing, 8 foot bed,
nowready. F.C.& A. E.Rowland,New Haven, Conn.

Ice Making Machines and Machines for Cooling
Breweries, etc. Pictet Artificial lee Co. (Limited), 142
Greenwich Street. P. O. Box 3083, New York city.

Steel Stamps and Pattern Letters. The best made. J.
F.W .Dorman, 21 German St., Baltimore. Catalogue free.

Split Pulleys at low prices, and of same strength and
appearance as Whole Pulleys. Yocom & Son's Shafting
Works. Drinker St., Philadelphia. Pa.

Machinery for Light Manufacturing, on hand and
built to order. B. E. Garvin & Co., 139 Center St., N. Y.

Presses & Dies. Ferracute Mach. Co., Bridgeton. N. J.

Supplement Catalogue.— Persons in pursuit of infor-
mation on any special engineering, mechanical, or scien-
tific subject, can have catalogue of contents of the Sci-
entific American Supplrmicnt sent to them free.
The SUPPLEMENT contains lengthy articles embracing
the whole range of engineering, mechanics, and physi-
cal science. Address Munn& Co.. Publishers, New York

The Porter-Allen High Speed Steam Engine. South-
work Foundry & Mach. Co. ,430 Washington Ave., PhiLPa,

Blake's Belt Studs, Belt Hooks, Belt Couplings, Lace
Cutters, Belt Punches. Greene/Tweed & Co., N. Y.

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

9 tuntifu %mtxitM.

123

mvm

HINTS 'VO COEKESPONDBNTS.

No attention will be paid t,o communications unless
accompanied with the full name and address of the
writer.

Names and addresses of correspondents will not be
given to inquirers.

We renew our requestthatcorrespondents, in referring
to former answers or articles, will be kind enough to
name the date of the paper and the page, or the number
of the question.

Correspondents whose inquiries do not appear after
a reasonable time should repeat them. If not then pub-
lished, they may conclude that, for good reasons, the
Editor declines them.

Persons desiring special information which is purely
of a personal character, and nor. of general interest,
should remit from$l to $5, according to the subject,
as we cannot be expected to spend time and labor to
obtain such information without remuneration.

Any numbers of the Scientific American Supple-
ment referred to in these columns may be had at this
office Price 1 ( l cents each.

Correspondents sending samples of minerals, etc.,
for examination, should be careful to distinctly mark or
label their specimens so as to avoid error in their identi-
fication.

(1) J. E. asks: When will a crosscut saw
straight on the bottom cut the faster— when drawn
straight across the log, or by giving it a rocking motion?
Why are are crosscut saws made round on the botiom
instead of on top? What is the cheapest power for a
small country work shop? A. A crosscut saw is made
bowing to make it cut faster and to accommodate the
wear by sharpening. A saw worked by hand naturally
rocks a little, which is advantageous. The cheapest
reliable power is steam, unless you are situated so as to
have water power. A windmill is good and cheap as
far as it goes.

(3) G-. P. W. writes: 1. I want to elevate
water {about 600 gallons daily) 35 feet to a tank. What
is the cheapest and best means to employ? A. Any
house force pump will answer your purpose. 2. How
should a tank be built when placed in the second story
of a dwelling, so as not to leak? A. The best tanks for
houses are what are called staved tanks, made of pine
or cedar, like a churn, 011 a taper, with the hoops driven
downward. Any carpenter can make them. Box tanks
are often used, but are not as reliable as staved tanks.
3 In putting In a furnace for heating a dwelling, should
the smokepipe enter the chimney at once, or could it
run horizontally 12 or 15 feet as well as not, and be in-
closed in a hot air flue connected with a register above;
and would it pay to do it? A. If your chimney has a
good draught, there is no objection to carrying the pipe
12 or 15 feet and covering with a warm air chamber. If
you have a heater that has a large radiating surface in
proportion to grate, the pipe should not be hot enough
to pay for inclosing, as a source of heat to supply a reg-
ister. 4. How should a chimney for a furnace be built,
anil how large? A. The ordinary chimneys of dwellings
are generally large enough for heaters. No chimney
flue should be less than 8 inches square — 8 inches by 12
inches would be best.

(3) O. S. F. asks if it would be safe to
run a three-quarter inch common pipe into the firebox
and out again; pipe bent in shape of a yoke. Steam is
then carried about fifty feet from boiler. I wish to get
as dry steam as possible. I use it to steam carpets,
feathers, hair, etc. If it is a safe plan, please tell me
the best way to arrange it. A, It need not be danger-
ous, except you carry a high pressure, which you do not
want. You want superheated steam, which you can
have with low pressure. The way you propose to
arrange the pipe is very well, bnt there must be a con-
stant current of steam through it, or your pipe will soon
burn out.

(4) J. K. H. writes: I am using a canvas
belt for polishing up whiffletrees. I find difficulty in
making the quartz adhere to the canvas. I have been
using common glue. Is there any kind of cement that
would answer the purpose better than glue? A. There
Is no cementthat is equal to thebestglue for sand belts.
Common glue is poor stuff for any use. Use only the
best quality of light brown glue, and select it yourself.
By bending a few pieces in your hands, the weak, brit-
tle glue will break easy and fly; the strong, tough glue
will bend with difficulty, and finally splinter and not fly
into pieces.

(5) R. S. F. asks: 1. When two induction
coils are arranged so that the secondary current from
the first shall traverse the primary wire of the second, is
a break necessary, or will the secondary current induce
currents like itself? A. No break is necessary in the
second coil, as the secondary current is intermittent and
alternating in its character. 2 Is the current thus in-
duced in the second coil stronger than if the same bat-
tery power were used direct to it? A. No; it is of
higher potential; but the quantity will be small. 3.
How long a Geissler's tube will a coil giving a spark
one-eighth inch long illuminate? A. Six inches.

(6) J. M. writes: I contend that if a person
jump up perpendicularly from the rear platform of a
freight car, shielded from the wind by the back of the
car, that he will come down in the same place from
which he jnmped. My opponent disputes it. A. Theo-
retically he would not come down in exactly the same
place, but practically, under your conditions, he would.
tn reality he loses an infinitesimal part of his forward
velocity during the time he is not on the platform.

(7) W. T. asks of how much advantage is
" lead " on a locomotive's valves. A. Lead is neces-
sary to the smooth working of the engine. It furnishes
an elastic cushion to absorb the momentum of the re-
ciprocating parts, and gradually taking up all the
" slack " of the joints and connections. By this means,
also, the piston has the full pressure of the steam at or
Slightly before the change in its direction of movement.

[OFFICIAL.]

INDEX OF INVENTIONS

FOB WHICH

Letters Patent of tlic United States were-
Granted in the Week Kndlns

February 6, 1883,

AND EACH BEARING THAT DATE.

[Those marked (r) are reissued patents.]

A printed copy of the specification and drawing of any-
patent in the annexed list, also of any patent issued
since 1866. will be furnished from this office for 26eents.
tn ordering please state the number and date of the
patent desired and remit to .\iunn & Co., 261 Broad-
way, corner of Warren Street. New York city. We
also furnish copies of patents granted prior to 1866 ;
but at increased cost, as the specifications, not being
printed, must be copied by hand.

Absorptive pad. fibrous. D. Goff 271,625

Advertising card rack, M. Umbdenstock 272,000

Air, apparatus for producing currents of pure or

carbureted, E. Vigreux. 272,002

Air cooling apparatus, H. Kropff 271,716

Album for photographs, etc, V. J. Augir 271.765

Animal trap, T. B. Turley 271.952

Annunciator and Are alarm, electric hotel, A. T.

Hess 271.707

Automatic gate, P. J . Wieland 271,963

Axle box, H. V. Appley 271,764

Back- rest, A. W. Streeper 271.944

Bag holder. W. E. Sheilenbe.-ger 271,980

Bag holder and filler, D. R. Adklsson 271.759

Bag machine, B. F. Sawyer -. 271.922

Baling press. P. K. Dederick 271,811, 271,812

Bar. See Harvester cutter bar. Harvester sickle
bar. Sash bar.

Barrel head cutter, W. J. Smith 271,934

Barrel heater, 8. Anson 271,763

Barrel rack for storing and aging whisky,

MoMutry & Johnson 271,892

Base-burning boiler, portable, A. H. Fowler...... 271,621

Battery. See Galvanic battery. Secondary bat-
tery.

Batting, fibrous, D. Goff 271,624

Bed bottom, spring, w. D. Strowger 271,945

Bed, folding, A. A. Allen 271,760

Bed, sofa, H. R. Plimpton 271,919

Bedstead fastening, H. B. Swift 271,996

Belting, manufacture of , J. J. Haley 271,629, 271,630

Berth-lock for sleeping cars, J. Kirby, Jr 271,867

Block. See Headblock. Snatch block.

Board. See Center board. Electrical switch

board. Ironing board. Pastry board.
Boiler. See Base-burning boiler.

Boiler furnace, W- A. Greene 271,627

Boilers, apparatus for purifying water for, C.

Elliot 271,821

Bolt. See Flour bolt.

Bolting reel, J. D. Hurst 271,853

Book holder, C. L. Work 272,008

Boot and shoe insole, E.K. Cooler 271,798

Bottle stopper, I. N. Peirce 271,734

Box. See Axle box. Letter box. Paper box.
Show box.

Bracelet chain, H. M. Herring 271,845

Brake. See Car brake. Wagon brake.

Brake setting apparatus, electric, J. B. Low 271,721

Breaking-down shovel, Starke & Crowley 271,940

Breast strap hook, G . M. Hubbard 271,851

Brick and tile moulding machinery, T. Le

Poidevln 271,875

Brick machine, J. H. Konef es. 271,873

Brick moulds, machine for sanding, D. Ralston... 271,984
Brick, preventing saltpeter exudations upon fac-
ing, J. C. Anderson. . ^ 271,591

Brick, tile, etc., ornamentation of, J. C. Ander-
son... 271,587, 271,590

Brush, I. C. Wells 271,960

Brush protector, paint, II. Dischinger 271,814

Building, portable, V. W. Blanchard 271,776

Burner. See Gas burner. Gas-lighting burner.
Vapor burner.

Button, collar, J. E. Vanderbilt 271,954

Cakes, etc., machinery for ornamenting, J. H.

Mitchell 271,898

Calculator, interest, M. Todd 271,949

Cans, machine for putting tops and bottoms on,

J.G. Jones 271,860

Car brake, B. Bennett 271,773

Car coupling, W. L. Albright 271,674

Car coupling, W. Crandell 271,685

Car coupling, L. Davis, Jr 271,609

Car coupling, L. A. Houghtaling 271,850

Car coupling, S. H. Milligan 271,896

Car coupling, J. J . Pursley 271,655

Car coupling, J. J. Roberts 271,990

Car coupling, J. G. Trenear 271.951

Car coupling, J.T.Wright 272.009

Car drawbar, C. Alkin '. 271,585

Car door, grain, W. J. Arndt 271,677

Car, hand, E. B. Linsley 271,720

Car signal, electro-magnetic, J. W. Marley 271.882

Car starter, A. W. Smith 271,661

Car, stock, J. C. Foster 271,695

Car wheel boring and truing machine, W. P. Barc-
lay.... 271,680

Car wheel tires, device for manufacturing, Facer

&Schaub 271,823

Cars, method of and apparatus for heating, J.

Mason 271,885

Carriage spring, W. Van Anden 271,953

Carriage window cushion, I. H. Mulford 271.900

Cart, driving, Hutson & Squires 271,710

Cartridge shells into tubes, machine for feeding

metallic, W.Mason 271,886

Case. See Lunch case. Pencil case.

Cement, building, J. E. Trask 271,950

Center board for boats, J. E. Couch 271,607

Centering gauge, A. Sequeira 271,746

Chair. See Dental chair, folding chair. Steamer

chair.
Chairs, settees, car seats, etc., seat and back of, J.

H. Woodman 271,757

Chandelier holding attachment, A. Reed 271,739

Cheekrower,L. A. Williams 271,756

Chlorine and sodium, process of and apparatus

for obtaining, A. L. Nolf 271,906

Chopper. See Cotton chopper.

Chuck. Sleeth & Lucas 271,941

Chuck, tenon and turning, B. A. Whitsett. 271,753

Churn S. E. Dunn 271,818

Churn mechanism, Heldreth & Umberger 271,705

Clamp. See Harrow tooth clamp.

Clay reducer and disintegrator, J. C. Anderson,

271,588, 271,589
Cleaner. See Seed cleaner.
Clock system, hydropneumatlc. C. A. Mayrhofer. 271.888

Cloth napping machine, E. Gessner 271,834

Clothes pounder, O. Colvin 271.602

Clothes reel, T. Alderdyce 271,675

Coal hod or scuttle, Gardner & Mills 271,699

Coatandeloak hook, D. Kelly 271,640

Coffee drying apparatus, F. Kiee 271,869

Coffee roaster, portable, Beecher & West 271,770

Coffee separator, . P. Brannon 271,779

Collar, horse, K. Porter 271,921

Colors on cotton fabrics, production of azo, T.

Halliday 271,636

Confectionery icing machine, J. H. Mitchell 271,897

Congelation of water, etc., facilitating the. O.

Guthrie (r) 10,283

Cooler. See Evaporative cooler. Grain cooler.

Cornice, window, E. Kiigemann 271,718

Corset, M.p. Bray 271,780

Corset, S. B. Ferris 271,618

Cotton chopper. W. S. Craig 271,801

Coupling. See Car coupling. Screw conveyor
coupling. Thill coupling.

Coupling link, H. M. Jones... 271.713

Coupling link, spring, S. A. Baker 271,592

Crate for transportation of window and plate

glass. R. D. Flynn 271,827

Culinary heater, W. H. Benson 271,774

Culinary vessel , F. Schifferle 271,744, 271,745

Cultivator, J. H. Allen 271,586

Cultivator shovel, B. Children 271.791

Cupola furnace, Clapp& Griffiths 271,683

Curd cutter, D. G. Young '. 271.969

Curtain roller, spring, C. De Quilfeldt 271,691

Cushion. See Carriage window cushion.

Cut-off, C. P.Allen 271,761

Cutter. See Barrel head cutter. Curd cutter.
Groove cut'ter. Tobacco cutter. Vegetable
cutter.

Cutting machine. G. Gilbert 271,835

Dental chair, folding, W. G. Browne 271,596

Dental plugger, G. Rehfuss 271,986

Die. See Screw cutting die.

Dish or basket, B. D. Marks 271,881

Door, grain, R. J. Walker 271,957

Door hanger. G. W. Hey 271,980,271,981

Door lock, O. E. Pillard 271,918

Door spring, I. Moore 271,649

Door spring, I. W. Moore 271,650

Drill. See Seed drill.

Dropper and. check row attachment, combined, H.

Z. Coles 271,793

Duster, feather, J. W. Little 271,877

Egg preserver, rotary, A. R. P. Robinson 271,658

Electric circuit wires, fastening for, H. G. Fiske.. 271,825

Electric current regulator, E. Thomson 271,948

Electric machine, dynamo, W. Baxter. Jr 271,972

Electric machine, dynamo and magneto, E. Gor-
don 271,979

Electric machine, dynamo and magneto, C. A.

Seeley 271,928

Electric machine governor, dynamo, T . A. Edi-
son 271,615

Electric machine regulator, dynamo, T. A. Edi-
son ; 271.616

Electric machine regulator, dynamo, J. F. Ott 271,654

Electric machines, commutator for dynamo, E.

Thomson , 271,947

Electric switch board, T. J. Perrin 271.913

Electrical conductor, P. G. Gardner, Jr., etal 271,832

Electrical switch board, T. J. Perrin 271,914

Elevator. See Hod elevator.
Emery wheel for sharpening saws, J. R. Hoff-
man 271,634

Engine. See Gas engine. Steam engine.

Evaporative cooler. G. W. Deitzler 271.813

Eyeglasses, G. Johnston 271.712

Fare register, Fowler & Lewis 271,977

Fare register and recorder, Fowler & Lewis 271.976

Fence, D. S. Morrison 271,730

Fence. J. L.Sullivan 271,665

Fence wire, barbed, Edenborn & Griesche 271,693

Fermenting vessels, apparatus for regulating the

pressure in a series of, J. M. Pf audler (r) 10,284

Fertilizer distributer, T. D. Gere 271,833

Fertilizer distributer, J. S. Peironnet 271,912

Firearm, breech-loading, F. Be esley (r) 10.281

Fire escape, H. H. Craigie 271.802

Fire escape, R. J. Dearborn 271.809

Fire escape ladder, E. A. Converse 271,796

Fire extinguisher, automatic, C. C. Walworth 271,669

Fire extinguishing and alarm system, automatic,

CE.Buell 271,783

Fire kindler, A. C. Miller 271.648

Flour bolt, centrifugal, Holcomb & Heine 271,846

Flourmills, roller reduction machine for, H. M.

Rounds.... 271,742

Flush valve, automatic, H. C. Lowrie 271.644

Folding chair, J. J. Bowker 271,778

Frame. See Quilting frame.
Furnace. See Boiler furnace. Cupola furnace.
Smoke burning furnace.

Gagrunner, M. E. Zeller 271,970

Gauge. See Centering gauge.

Galvanic battery, A. M. Rosebrugh 271,992

Gas brackets, lighting and heating attachment

for, [. W. Heysinger 271,708

Gas burner, J. C. Kelly.. 271,641

Gas burners, base for, S. Nelson 271,653

Gas engine, L. H. Nash 271,902

Gas exhauster, steam, Leadley & Hanlon 271,874

Gas lighting burner, electric, C. H. Crockett 271,805

Gas lighting burner, electric, H. J. Warren 272.004

Gas pressure regulator, F. Pipersberg 271,735

Gas producer, J. Zellweger 271,673

Gate. See Automatic gate. Turbine wheel gate.

Glass beveling machine, T. F. Gilroy 271,836

Grain cooler and drier. S. P. Cook 271,604

Griddle, cake, O. R. Hanchett 271,842

Groove cutter, J. Martignoni 271,646

Gun, machine. B. B. Hotehkiss (r) 10,280

Guns, auxiliary rifle barrel for, H. T. Martin .... 271.883

Guns, extractor for breakdown, J. Maloney 271,645

Handle. See Saw handle. Valve handle.
Hanger. See Door hanger. Picture hanger.

Hammer, H. O. Hooper '. 271,709

Hammer, bush, A. Nelson 271,731

Hammocks, spreading stick for, J. H.Bates 271,767

Harness, V. Smith 271,933

Harrow and cultivator. W. B. Carruth 271,599

Harrow tooth clamp, L. J. Stanton 271,938

Harvester cutter bar, J. K. Case 271,787

Harvester sickel bar, C. Schmidt 271,923

Harvester traction wheel. R. H. Dixon 271,612

Harvesting machine, R. Eckemeyer 271,694

Hat blocking table, revolving, M. A. Cuming 271,807

Hay and grain unloader, A. L. Jordan 271.862

Head block, Smith & Myers 271,747

Heater. See Barrel heater. Culinary heater.

Heel iron, Wilkins& Dole 271,755

High and low water indicator for steam boilers,

automatic, B. Collins 271.794

Hinge, spring, A. B. Tanner 271.946

Hitchingpost, W. p. Beach 271.769

Hod elevator, safety, L Atwood 271,678

Hoisting buckets to belts, device for attaching,

R.N.Sanderson 271,743

Hoisting machine, J. Boyd 271.681

Holder. See Bag holder. Book holder. Lead and

crayon holder. Sash holder.
Hook. See Breast strap hook. Coat and cloak

hook. Whjffletree hook.
Hoops from poles, machine for sawing, R.

Williams 271,672

Hose carriage, J. Pusey 271,738

Ice chambers, guard for excluding air from, G.

Gear 271,663

Ice cream, etc., non -heating conducting envelope

for.M.T. Fussell 271,698

Incombustible, rendering organic substances, ,

Suilliot & David 271,996

Incubators, electric regulator and alarm for, P.

Rosebrook 271,991

Indicator. See High and low water indicator. Sta-
tion indicator. Stock indicator.
Ingots and apparatus therefor, production of

sound, F. A. Krupp 271,717

Insulator, electrical, D. M. Steward 271 .994

Iron. See Heel iron.

Ironing board, J. D. Talbott 271.667

Iron'ng board support, T. C. Miller 271,895

Jack. See Lever jack. Lifting lack.

Jewelry mounting. L. Richards 271.988

Kegs and barrels, tool for working off , J . .A. Sea-
man 271,660

Knife cleaning machine, H, F. Hambruch 271,841

Ladder, step, E. R.Flint 271,619

Lamp coupling ring, J. Kirby, Jr .271.860

Lamp, electric arc, Dudley & Rapp . 271,816

Lamps, manufacture of incandescing electric, T.

AEdison 271,613

Lathe cutters, apparatus for grinding, C. V.

Woerd 271,966

Lathe rest, G.O.Griggs 271,702

Lead and crayon holder, P. Schrag. . , 271,926

Leather blacking, dressing, and finishing appara-
tus, F. B. Batchelder 271,971

Letter box, M. R. Jones 271,861

i Lever jack, J. O. Joyce 271.864

Life preserver, 8. A. L. KlixbUlI 271,870

Lift, safety. M. Martin 271,884

Lifting lack, J. O.Joyce 271.863

Lifting jack, HSWeis 271,959

Light. See Oven light.

Lightning rods, tripod standard for, Patee &

Ridge 271.733

Liquors, apparatus for treating fermented, fer-
mentable, and distilled, C. W. Ramsay 271,656

Lock; See Berth lock. Door lock. Nut lock.
Seal lock.

Lock, S. P. Stoddard 271,662, 271,668

Lock, J. P.White 271,962

Look nut and bolt, D. Hull 271.852

Lunch case, D.H. Mathias 271,724

Mail conveyer, electric, E. Nicolaisen 271,904

Mash beating and cooling device, Dodsworth &

Burke 271,692

Match igniter, J. Pusey 271,737

Matrix drying press, W.J.Johnson 271,858

Measuring machine, cloth, S. B.Luckett 271,879

Mechanical movement, C. A. Bentzen 271,594

Medical compound, H..C. F. Meyer 271,894

Metallic pipe, machine for making spiral-jointed,

J.B.Root 271,740

Middlings purifier, J. R. Smith 271,932

Mill. See Windmill.

Millstone dressing machine, C. S. Hoover 271,849

Millstone driver, P. Steinmetz 271.942

Money strip, gummed, Z. G. Wilson 271,964

Motion, apparatus for starting, stopping, and re-
versing rotary, F. Reuleaux 271,987

Motion, device for converting, J. S. Parmenter. . . 271,909

Mowing machine. R. Dutton 271,819

M otor. See Oscillating motor.

Nail, W. G. llowell 271,983

Nails, making brass headed, C. II. Yarington 272,010

Nut lock, J.J. Waddill >71,955

Nut separator, J. H. Dolman 271,815

Oilcloth, etc., machine for ornamenting and cut-
ting, A. F. Buchanan 271,782

Oils from vegetables, etc., manufacture of, C. F.

Stollmeyer 271,664

Oleaginous matter from animal and vegetable

substances, extracting, J. D.Jones 271,859

Ore and mineral separator. Richards & Coggin 271,657

Ore washer rake, W. R. Jenkins, Jr 271,856

Organs, pneumatic action for, W. F. Cooper 271,606

Oscillating motor, A. & A. Iske 271,639

Oven, baker's. A. Crumble 271.806

Oven light, baker's. A. Klemt 271,714

Packing, metallic rod. C. D. Stevens 271,748

Pad. See Absorptive pad.

Pad tree and harness saddle, C. C. Schwaner 271,927

Paint, detergent or compound for removing, A.

Munder 271,901

Pan. See Scale pan.

Pantaloon protector. C. J. McDermott 271,891

Paper box, C.De Quilfeldt 271,975

Paper stock, treating. H. Carmichael (r) 10,i82

Pastry board, D. C. Heller 271,706

Pen and pencil rack, F. F. Dumke 271.817

Pencil case, J. H. Knapp 271,872

Photographic cameras, plate holder for, M. Flam«

mang 271,826

Photographs, process of and apparatus for color-
ing, J. Chainecto! 271,789

Pick, W. Cook 271.797

Pick, miner's, H. F. Seybert 271,929

Picture hanger, A. Kluge 271,715

Pile, iron and steel, VV. G. llowell 271,637

Pin. See Safety pin.

Pm package. V. Fountain : 271,828

Pipe. See Water, gas, and drain pipe.

Pipe wrench, S. A. Bostwick 271,595

Planter, check row corn, J. H. Allyn 271,676

Planter, check rower corn, A. W. Cash 271,788

Planter, gang corn, L. A. Lusk 271,722

Platform spring, J. H. Grogan 271,703

Plow, C. Hanson 271,844

Plow, E. D.Meagher 271,893

Plow point, W. F.Baldwin.... 271,593

Post. See Hitching post.

Potato digging and separating machinery, R. A.

Clark 271,601

Press. See Baling press. Matrix drying press.
Punching and drawing press.

Press, Wildey & Rollins 271,754

Prisoo ; cells, armor for, P. Herzog 271,6^3

Protector. See Brush protector. Pantaloon pro-
tector.

Pump, G. F. Blake 271,775

Pump and preserver, beer, E. Sharf enberg 271.659

Pump, double-acting, French & Shenton . . 271,829

Punching and drawing press, J. Gardner 271.831

Putty, commercial. R. W. Davis 271.973

Quilting frame, H. T. Davis 271,688

Quilting frame for sewing machines, H. T. Davis. 271,689
Rack. See Advertising card rack. Barrelrack.
Radiator, steam, H. Maodonald 271,723

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

124

$f titntifk %mmtm.

[February 24, 1883.

Railway crossing signal andalarm. H. H. Liemke. 271,876
Railway switches and signals, apparatus for ope-
rating, A. G. Cummings 271,808

Railway tracks, device for raising and lining. W.

R. Dickerson 271,611

Railways, construction ofi D. 3. Miller 271,727

Railways; motor for use near, Zinsmaier & Burt. . 272,012
Rake. See Ore washer rake.

Razor strop, Tower A Lamont 271.997

Reel. See Bolting reel. Clothesreel.
Register. See Fare register.
Regulator. See Electric current regulator. Elec-
tric machine regulator. Gas pressure regula-
tor.

^Rendering tank, R. Garstang 271,700

Reticule, C. De Qutlfeldt 271.974

Rice beater, J. Decker 271,810

King. See Lamp coupling ring.

Rocke'r, detachable, O. B.Olmsted 271,907

Roller. See Curtain roller.

Rolling mills, billet guide for, W. W. McCallip.... 271.725

Rolling mills, lift for plate, R. Barrett...: 271,766

Roof, etc., illuminating, J. K. Ingalls. 271,854

Rubber, method of and apparatus for making; arti-
cles of moulded, H. P. C. Pearson 271,911

Safety pin, A. Van Houten 272.001

Sap boiling apparatus, 0. A. Butler...'... ..271,786

Sash bar, lead, A. Friedrick 271,696

Sash for glazing purposes, building lead. A. Fried-
rick 271,697

Sash holder, Nix & McClelland 271,905

Saw arbor. T. N. Hacket 271,840

Sawdust conveyer. J. M. Elliott, Jr 271 .832

Saw handle, J. R. Woodrough 272,007

Saw machine, drag, J. C. Wygant 271,968

Scale pan, G. H . Chatillon 271,790

Scale, platform, C. C. Miller 271,726

Screen cleaningdevice,T. Holman.... 271,847

Screwconveyer coupling, Webster & Chivill 272,006

Screw cutting die, J. M uller -271,652

Scrubbing floors, machine for, P. Gallagher 271.8S0

Seal lock, C. Clarke 271684

Seamingmachine. F. A. Walsh 271,668

Secondary battery. A. Haid 271,628

Secondary battery, J. A. Maloney 271.880

Secondary battery, C. P. Nezeraux r 271,732

Seedcleaner, J. Grube 271,839

Seed drill and fertilizer distributer, R. Platman.. 271,736
Seeding machine ' fertilizer attachment, j. p.

Fulgham .'. ...271,622

Seeding'machine, grain, J. M. Westcott .. .... 271,961

Separator. See Coffee separator. Nut separator.
Ore and mineral separator.

Settee and lounge, combined, E. S. Amrock 271,762

sowing machine, G.'D.'Garvie...... 271,975

Sewing machine; C. H. Palmer 271,908

Sewing machine, buttonhole, Sullivan & Baker... 271,666

Sewing machine guide, W. P.Miller 271,728

Sewing machine quiltingattachment, H. T. Davis. 271,690
Sewing machine quilting attachment, O. C. Pope.. 271,920

Sewing machine ruffler.G. W. Baker 271,697

Sewing machine ruffling attachment. G. W.

McCaslin 271.890

Shafting, T. A. Edison 271,614

Shears. See Wick trimming shears.

Sheet ana plate roll. I. W. Cooper 271,605

Sheet metal shearing machine. C. Wais: . 271,956

Sheet metal vessels, attaching handles to, G. W.

Knapp 271,871

Sheet metal working tool, C. Hugo 271,638

Shire hosoms, macnine for cutting. E. Schott ... 271,925

Shoe heeling machine, M. V. Ethridge 271,617

Shoe horn and jack, Gysin & Huber 271,704

Shoe tip blanks, machine for forming, M. A.

HoltOn 271,848

Shovel. See Breaking-down shovel. Cultivator
shovel. Steam shovel.

Showbox and card, L. Sonn 271,936

Show stand. E. Leger 271,719

Sifter, ash, R. S. Van Zandt 271,751

Signal. See Car signal. Railway crossing signal.

Skate, roller, G. D. Burton 271,785

Skid; F. N. Godfrey 271,837

Slates, abacus attachment for school, H. Stewart. 271,749

Sleigh, logging, A. Hansen 271,848

Smoke burning furnace, J. Ritchie 271,989

Snatch block, G. A. Ford 271,620

Spark arrester, T. Patterson 271,910

Spectacles and eyeglasses, C. F. Beers 271,771

Spittoon, W. H. Earls... 271,820

Spring. See Carriage spring. Door spring. Plat-
form spring.
Stand. See Show stand. Switch stand.

Station indicator, G. P. Rasck 271.985

Stave jointing machine, T. Bruno 271.682

Steam engine, B. Brazelle 271,781

Steam engine, F.J. Roth 271,741

Steam shovel, Starke & Crowley 271.939

Steamer chair, adjustable, Johnson & Hayward.. 271.857
Stock indicatorf or manufacturers. S. Kempner.. 271365

Stone drilling machine, J. T. Clark , 271,792

Stopper. See Bottle stopper.

Stove, cooking. W. A. Greene 271,626

Stove drum, N. B. Acheson 271,758

Stove oven, oil and gas, C. F. Whorf • . 271,670

Straw stacking machine. Stone & Shepler 271.943

Streetsweeping machine. P. Kyan 271,993

Superheater, J. R. Moore 271,651

Switch and signal connections, deflection stand

for, A. G. Cummings 271,608

Switch stand; automatic, True & Houghton 271,999

Table. SeeHat blocking taMe.

Tank. See Rendering tank.

Tanning hides, composition for, J. F. Crauford... 271,804

Target, F. Medart. '.....' , 271,647

Telegraph, railway train, W. T. Waters 271,958

Telegraphs/station switch for flre, G. F. Bulen... 271,597
Telegraphic flre alarm stations, automatic testing

apparatus for, G. F. Bulen 271,598

Telephone, Loring & Pierce 271,878

Telephone receivers, circuit closer for, E." C.

Dean 271,610

Telephone transmitter. E. A. Schoettel 271,924

Telephone transmitters, mouth piece for, A. S.

Nichols ' 271,903

Thill coupling, J. Lauth 271,642

Tire for wagon wheels, supplementary, M. L.

Trowbridge 271.998

Tobacco cutter, J. & Beach 271.768

Tool, combination, H. U. Kistner 271,868

Toy building, M. E. Converse 271,603

Toy, mechanical, C. A. Crongeyer 271.68c

Transparency, microscopic photographic, F. B.

Gould.. 271,838

Trap. See Animal trap.

Traveling bag handle cap, H. S. Craus 271,803

Tree. See Pad tree.

Turbine wheel gate, E. B. Williams 271,671

Type setting apparatus. Johnson & Low 271,711

Valve. See Flush valve.

Valve handle, steam, F. I. Maule 271.88T

Valve, osolllatlng, M. R.Moore .' 271.W9

Vapor burner, H. S. Belden

Vegetable cutter, rotary, H. L. Goodwin

Vehicle wheel. C. Snyder

Vehicles, mechanism for propelling, W. S.
Mitchell

Velocipede, J. J. Cox....

Velocipede, marine, F. A. Coomans

Votes, apparatus for registering, H. Zimmer.

Wagon brake, L. L. James

Wagon hound, A . J. Harper

Washing machines, churns, etc, gearing for ope-
rating, G. H. Connor

Watch, C. V. Woerd

Watch balances, machine for pointing, drilling,
and tapping, C. V. Woerd. ..'..'.

Water closet, C. F. Pike 271,915 to

Water closet, D. Wellington

Water, gas, or drain pipe, J. P. Culver.

Water wheel, A Figge —

Well digging machine, J. C. & S. Chambers

Wheel. See Emery wheel. Harvester traction
wheel. Vehicle wheel. Water wheel.

Whiffletree hook, D. S. Blue

Whiffletree hook, H. & A. T. Hatch

Wick trimming shears, R. F. Holley

Wind locomotive, O. W. Burnell

Windmill, W. H. & C. A. Holcombe

Windmill, S. E. Limpus. .

wire cloth sample card, H. H. Waters

Wire, manufacture of covered or insulated, J, D.
Thomas

Wooden bows, cooling rack for bent, W. Aldrich.

Wrench. See Pipe wrench.

Yarn hanking machine, J. F. McAfee

271,795
271,965

271.967
271,917
271,752
271,687
271,824
271,600

271,777
271,632
271,982
271,784
271,635
271,643
272,005

271,750
271,584

DESIGNS.

Carpet, E. A. Crowe 13,569to

Carpet, A. Danby 13.673 to

Carpet, A. Fisher 13,576 to

Carpet, W. . I. Gadsby

Carpet, A. Heald 13,531 to

Carpet, D. McNair

Carpet, P. Pignot 13,592 to

Carpet, C. W. Swapp 13,596 to

Curtain poles, etc., tubing for, R. S. Gould ..

Fringe, J. Loeb 13,587 to

Hardware, ornamental panels on articles of build-
ers', G. S. Barkentin.

Musical instrument case, G. W. Turner

Stove, W. P. Warren -

Type, font of printing, W. W.Jackson

13,572
.13,575
13,578
13,579
13.585
13,591
13,595
13,602
13,580
13,590

13,568
13,603
13,604
13,586

TRADE MARKS.

Biscuits, W.G.Wilson 10,027

Books, pamphlets, catalogues, and miscellaneous

publications, J. R. Jones. *. 10,021

Cigars. F. Garcia, Bro. & Co 10,025

Cigars, C. A. Yule 10,029

Cotton duck, Brinckerhoff, Turner & Co. ...10.016 to 10,018

Cotton piecegoods, Brinckerhoff, Turner & Co 10,019

Oils, lubricating, Brooks Oil Company 10,013

Pills, liver, J. W. Angell .. 10,015

Preparation for softening and beautifying the

hands aDd face. J. F. Stevenson 10,022

Sheep dip, Louisville Leaf Tobacco Company ..... 10,026

Soap, laundry, Colgate & Co 10,014

Thread,' package of, Clart Thread Company 10,023

Tobacco, Pflngst, Doerhoefer & Co... 10,028

Toilet preparation, J. E.Espey 10,024

Whisky, A. Halliday & Co 10,020

%&vtxtttmtvAs.

Inside l'uge. each insertion - - - 75 cents a line.
Hack Page, each insertion - - - 81. 00 a line.

(About e ight words t o a line. 1
Engravings may head advertisements at the same rate
per line, by measurement, as the letter press. Adver-
tisements must be received at publication Qffice as early
as Thursday morning to apvear in next issue .

SPECIAL MACHINERY OF ALL KINDS

Designed and built to order.

RRAYDON ifc DENTCIN M'F'G CO..

Cor. Bay and Greene Streets, Jersey City, N. J.

THEONLY ARTICLE TO SIV£ A DURABLE ECONOMICAL,
NATURAL AND' PERFECT FINISH TO HARD WOOD

BREINIG'S LITHOGEN SH-ICATE PAINT

VERY DURABLE AND ECONOMICAL ONE GALLON
EQUALS TWO GALLONS OR MORE OF THEBESTMIXEO PAINT

THE BRIDGEPORT WOOD FINISHING CO.

4-0 BLEECKEK. STREET NEW YORK

SEND FOR PAMPHLET CIVIHG DIRECTIONS FOR FINISHING. HARO WOOD
SAMPLE CARD OF PAINT COLORS SENT ON APPLICATION.

WATER

ARE YOU SHORT OF

Our method challenges Investigation. Our ma-
chinery is portable, operated by horse or steam
power. Procures water In earth or rock, anywhere, do matter how
great the drouth. We want names of parties wanting water. Send
3c. stamp for catalogue, c. D. Pi©rfl9 Well Co., 2D E03© St, M. Y.

THE

RIDER COMPRESSION
PUMPING ENGINE

(Hot Air), for city or country resi-
dences where it is required to raise a
supply of water, is the most Perfect
Pumping Machine in the market. Its
marvelous Simplicity, absolute Safety,
reat Economy and Effectiveness, ren-
der it far superior to all others. Can
be run by any inexperienced person.
Send for catalogu e and price list to
CAlHlHEVEIt «fc SAYER,
93 Liberty St. , New York,
^ and 20 W.Lake St., Chicago, 111.
Please mention this Paper.

WANTED, in good order, a second-hand Shaper, 15 in.
stroke, or a Planer, 26 in. x 6 ft. Apply to

KAMPFE BROS., 114 Centre St., New York.

^ggpS*.

fflBBWHfflsaa^

YORK.

MACHINISTS' TOOLS,

New and mini-overt Patterns.

IRON PLANERS A SPECIALTY.

Oestevlefn & Bernhardt! Cincinnati, o.

NUT TAPPING

MACHINE.
DURRELL'S PATENT.

No. 1 Machine, 900 lb., 1 spindles.
" 2 " 1,050 " 7
" 2 " 600 "3
Capacity of 7 Spindles, 8,000 per
10 hours.
Acknowledged to be an indispens-
able tool Manufactured by .
HOWARD BROS.,

Frcoonia, N. Y.

2 H. P. Boilers, $60. T. MCDONOUGH, Montclair, N. J.

PAYNE'S AUTOMATIC ENGINES.

Spark Arrester.

v;...^.ijng>(ofii3. v U-S-ft.,

wood Wbr\Ki nG/yvcH i ne rv ]

<Y"ro\y,eur Sfiojjj, 1
•pftmiivy /\irfy, Y

Joctb'riej £?_3ncftj'<nri5 Sawing, <! :

■pfeminjf, /^fdin^/yufij'ing, aJenonimj, Sfc%^$x
-.— XiN -Tofisftirig.ese.? of<njfe~~
^^^^JF^\ ■fvicjfxes'f 5fimfccu& of •

_-^^^,rf*Av,,\^ _^ .exreetferice^arva*
jy*^- "~<i VarrcmfVa e>i\e
j-w\ /\oj{ ftilior SciViruf-

J/ 1 -of ary Ln_U5e. —

V/H.'Dbape.Pryi&ent. X). t . tyoi£,*Seey.

Reliable* durable, and economical, will furnish, a
horse fiower wiik one-third leas fuel and water than any othtv engine
built, not fitted with an automatic cut-off. Send for Illustrated
Catalogue •* A S" for information and prices. Box ISO?

B* W. PATTPTE & SONS, Cornlnff, 3V. V.

THE MEDART PATENT

WROUGHT RIM PULLEY,

MADE BY

McMURKAY & STOUGHTON,
HARTFORD, CONN.

TOOLS for Machinists, Amateurs, Jewellers, Model
Makers, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Coachmakers, etc.

Send 20 cts. for new Metal Worker's Catalogue, 300 Pages.
Wood Worker's Catalogue free.

TALLMAN A McFAI>DElV. Philadelphia, Pa.

Electrical Test Instruments,

MAKPFAOTUEED BY

IELLIOTT BROS., LONDON.

From stock, or ordereil direct.

THE ELECTRICAL. SUPPLY CO.,

Sole Agents lor the United States,
109 LIBERTY ST., NEW YORK.

Leffel Water Wheels,

With Important Improvements.
11,000 IN SUCCESSFUL OPERATION

FINE NEW FAHP2LET FOB 1883
Sent*free to those interested.

JAMES LEFFEL k C0. (

Springfield, Ohio.
110 Liberty St., N. Y. City.

ADDRESS OF Dr. C. W. SIEMENS AT

the Recent Meeting of the British Association.— An
Interesting review of the progress made in theoretical
and applied science. Electrical measures. Transmis-
sion of energy, tlectric lighting. Improvements in the
use of gas. Utilization of gaseous fuel. The gas engine
formarfne purposes. Maritime improvements. Modern
engineering enterprises. Improvements in explosives.
Phenomenaof electrical discaarge. Solar physics, con-
tained in Scientific American - Supplement, Nos.
351 and 3-V2. Price 10 cents. To be had at this office
andfromall newsdealers.

BUFFALO FORGE CO.

POWER Z.

KAND BLOWERS.

BUFFALO

FEED WATER HEATERS.

THE BEST AND CHEAPEST IN THE MARKET.

Warranted to heat water by exhaust steam from 206 8 to
212° Fahrenheit,
for description and price, appljr to

THE NATIONAL PIPE BENDING CO.,

New Haven, Conn*

WITHERBY, RUUG & RICHARDSON. Manufacturers
of Patent Woodworking Machinery of every descrip-
tion. Facilities unsurpassed. Shop formerly occupied
by R. Ball & Co., Worcester, Mass. Send for Catalogue.

Machinists' Tools.

New and Improved patterns.
Send fQr new illustrated catalogue.

Lathes, Planers* Drills, (fee

NEW HAVEN IU A N II FAC I tilt ING CO.,
.New Haven. €01111.

-*-!FIRE —AND— VERMINi-*-

PROOF

Sample and Circular Free by mail.
I). S. MINERAL W0OI CO., 22 Courtlandt St,, N. Y.

VOLNEY W. MASON & CO.,

FBICTM PULLEYS, CLUTCHES, and ELEVATORS..

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

PliANING AND MATCHING MACHINE.

m mini

Special Machines for Car Work, and the latest improved.
Wood Working Machinery of all kinds.

. A SPECIALTY CDu^- Ll
JOHN GREENWOOD &C0.

ROCHESTER Im.Y.

BUSINESS.— AH old established Grain Cradle Busi-
ness and Business Stand to lease. Nearly all the mate-
rial for the present season on hand. For information,
apply to WM. A. APGAR, Somerville, N, J.

«i25Jj FEED WATER jvS

* — = .| - ■■'.-Purifier v

INTERNATIONAL

Electric Exhibition,

VIENNA, 1883.

IIThe Commission of the International Electric Exhibi-
ion in Vienna, 1883, gives due notice to the public that
this Exhibition is to take place in the course of this year,
to be opened on the 1st Aiigu«t and to be closed on the
31st October, and cordially invite Exhibitors and
Visitors.

The Regulations and the blanks necessary for Applica-
tions for space are to be had at the Austrian-Hunga-
rian Consuls.

The objects to be exposed will comprise all Machinery.
Apparatus, and Implements connected with Electro-
technic.

It will certainly afford a good opportunity to inventors
to show their latest improvements.

This Exhibition is greatly favored by the Austrian
Government, and will be held in the Rotunda of the
well remembered Universal Exhibition of 1873.

Exhibitors are requested to procure the necessary
papers at once.

i s1BToLONDON.be RRY^ORTON

■ PH!L A P A FOR-

THE BEST BAND SAW BLADE

WATCHMAKERS.

Before buying lathes, see the "WMtoomb," made by
AMERICAN WATCH TOOL CO., Waltham, Mass.

PATENTS.

MESSRS. MTTNN & CO.. in connection with the pub-
lication of the scientific American, continue to ex-
amine Improvements, and to act as Solicitors of Patents
for Inventors.

In this line of business they have had thirty-eight
years' experience, and now have vnequaled facilities to?
the preparation of Patent Drawings, Specifications, and
the prosecution of Applications for Patents in the
United States, Canada, and Foreign Countries. Messrs.
Munn & Co. also attend to the preparation of Caveats,
Copyrights for Books. Labels, Reissues, Assignments,
and Reports on Infringements of Patents. All business
intrusted to them is done with special care and prompt-
ness, on very reasonable terms.

A pamphlet Bent free of charge, on application, con-
taining full information about Patents and how to pro
cure them; directions concerning Labels, Copyrights,
Designs^ Patents, Appeals. Reissues, Infringements, As-
signments, Rejected Cases, Hints on the Sale of Pa-
tents, etc.

We also send, free of charge, a Synopsis of Foreign
Patent Laws, showing the coBt and method of securing
patents in all the principal countries of the world.

MCNN & CO., Solicitors or Patents,

261 Broadway, New York.

BRANCH OFFICE -Corner of F and Ttli Streets,
"Washington, D, C,

© 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

February 24, 1883.]

jfritttiifif ^mtxitm.

125

jmw^ CABLKTONN TREASURY OF KNOWLEDGE,

►Thlobicst selling book ever known. The

, largest discount. Circulars free. Agents ad-
dress G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers, N. Y.

Party with some means to take interest in and finish in-
vention. Nearly completed now. Wonderful machine.
Will pay enormously. Full investigation requested be-
fore investing. Stephen W. Keyes, 5 Jay St./New York.

FOIl SALE.— An Achromatic Equatorial Telescope.
3 in. aperture ; screw motion ; mounted in finely finished
brass: tinder, rack, and pinion ; six eyepieces ; on tripod j
complete. Address B,. B. GANS, Columbia, Mo.

WANTED— To negotiate with manufacturers for the
manufacture of Lowdon's Improved Velocipede and
Misses' Carriage. A . K. McMurray (Room 28), 181 Broad-
way, N. Y.

BRADLEY A. FISKE,

CONSULTING ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.

, No. 59 Astor House.

p^W4?f5* YMB0L

VJ LLt 3 1 lALUlNTERPRETED

T*'The8un of Right eoun ess Shall Arise
With Healing fn his Wings. "-MALACHI. ||
he Natural Wonders and Spiritual Teaching- ofthe Ol IN
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More interesting than Romance. AGENTS WANTED
immediately. A clear field. Nothing like it ever offered.
Address, J. C. McCURDY & CO., Philadelphia, Pa.

ROOFING.

For steep or flat roofs. Applied by ordinary workmen
at one-third the cost of tin. Circulars and samp es free.
A'gents Wanted. T. NEW. 3:.» John Street, New York.

$72

A "WEEK, $12 a day at home easily made. Costly
Outfit free. Address True & Co., Augusta, Me.

40

Chromo Visiting Cards, no 2 alike, for 1883, name on,
and Illustrated Premium List, 10c. Warranted best
sold. Agentswanted. L.JONES & CO., Nassau, N.Y.

CONSUMPTION.

I have aposi tive remedy for the above disease ; by its use
thousands of cases of tlie worst; kind andof long standing
h;ive been cured. Indeed, bo strong is my faith iuits efficacy,
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press & F* O. address. Pit. T. A. ft* OCUM, 181 Pearl St., N. Y.

CliARK'S RUBBER WHEELS.

This Wheel is unrivaled for durability,
simplicity, and cheapness. Adapted for
Warehouse and Platform Trucks, Scales,
Heavy Casters, and all purposes for which
Wheels are used. Circular and Price List
free. GEO. P. CLARK, Windsor Locks, Ct.

RTTPT1THE

cured without an operation or the injury trusses inflict
by Dr.J. A. SHERMAN'S method. Office, 251 Broadway,
New York. His book, with Photographic likenesses
of bad cases, before and after cure, mailed for 10c.

PLAYS

Dialogues, Tableaux, Readings, etc..
for school, club, and parlor. Best
out I Catalogue free.

S. T. DENISON, Chicago, HI.

For STEEP and FLAT EOOFS of-all kinds;
can be aoplied by ordinary workmen at ONE
THIRD the cost of TIN. Send for a- sample
and our circularwhich gives full directions how
to apply your own roof; alBo how to repair
leaky roofs of all kinds. Address,

W. H. STEWAET,
74 Cortlandt St., New Tort.

AGENTS

SD i _

fit worth pO free. Address E. G.
EIDEOUI &00., 10 Barclay St., H.y.

TELEPHONES!

For private lines. Latest, best; always reli-
able ; work 2 miles on cable-wire. Illus. Cir-
culars free. HolcomTi & Co., Cleveland, O.

SAFE and SPEEDY
WAY to FORTUNE.

A FORTUNE FOR
ONLY $2. For infor-
mation and circulars
sent free, write to
GEORGE LEE,
Courier Journal Building, Louisville, Ky.

I HI %# g— ■!» ^F ^% 1*% £> pet full information about our
MM V E. *9 I *J 9\ ^*7 per cent, farm mortgages. 12
years experience ; $4,000,000 loaned ; not a dollar lost. J. R.
Watkl nS & CO. Lawrence, Kansas. and 243 Broadway.N.Y.

50

Elegant Genuine Chromo Cards, no two alike,
with name, 10c. SNOW & CO., Meriden, Ct.

CC */| $20^ e . r ??^ ^ J? onie - Samples worth $5free.

Address Stinson <fc Co., Portland, Me.

MANHOOD!

KNOW THYSELF.- _ -

A Book for Every Man !
Young, Middle-Aged, and 01d u

The untold miseries that result from indiscretion in
early life may be alleviated and cured. Those who doubt
this assertion should purchase and read the new medical
work published by the I'eabod.v Medical Institute,
Boston, entitled the Science of Life: or. S#* If- Pre-
servation. It is notonlya complete and perfect trea-
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Physical Debility, Premature Decline in Man, Errors of
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of which is invaluable, so proved by the author,
whose experience for 21 years is such as probably never
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embellishedwith the verv finest steel engravings, guar-
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Price Only 81.25 by mail. Gold met! al awarded the author
by the National Medical Association. Illustrated sam-
ple sent on receipt of six cents. Send now.

Address PEABODY MEDICAL INSTITUTE, or DR.
W. H. PARKER, No. 4 Bnlflnch Street, Boston, Mass.
The author may be consulted on all diseases requiring
skill and experience,

THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

New-York Life Insurance Co.

OFFICE, Uos. 346 and 348 BUOADWAY.

J-J±T<nj-^L.ttir 1, 1883.

Amount of Net Cash Assets, January? 1» 1882 $45,130,006.86

REVENUE ACCOUNT.

Premiums $9,604,788.38

Less deferred premiums January 1, 1882 452,161.00— $9,152,627.38

Interest and rents (including realized gains on real estate

sold) 3,089,273.21

Less interest accrued January 1 , 1 882 291 ,254.80— 2,798 ,018.41— $11,950,645.79

$57,080,652.65

DISBURSEMENT ACCOUNT.

Lesses by death, including Reversionary additions to same $1 ,955,292.00

Endowments matured and discounted, including Reversionary additions

to same

Annuities, dividends, and returned premiums on cancelled policies 3

Total paid Policy-holders *--... $6,210,309.7 1 .

Taxes and re-insurances

Commissions, brokerages, agency expenses and physicians' fees 1

Office and law expenses, salaries, advertising, printing, &c

427,258.95
827,758.76

234,678.27
,332,038.38
385,111.18— $8,162,137.54

$48,918,515.11

ASSETS.

Cash in bank, on hand, and in transit (since received) $1

Invested in United States, New York City and other stocks, (market value,
$19,953,956.52) 18

Real Estate 4

Bonds and mortgages, first lien on real estate, (buildings thereon insured
for $17,950,000.00 and the policies assigned to the Company as ad-
ditional collateral security) 19.

Temporary loans, (secured by stocks, market value, $5,191,139.50) 4

♦ Loans on existing policies, (the reserve held by the Company on these
policies amounts to $2,690,961)

♦Quarterly and semi-annual premiums on existing policies, due subse-
quent to January 1, 1 883

♦Premiums on existing policies in course of transmission and collection.

Agents' balances

Accrued interest on investments January 1 , 1 883

Excess of market value of securities over cost

*A detailed schedule of these items will accompany the usual annual
report filed with the Insurance Department of the State of New York.

276,026.67

072,074.81
133,065.13

306,940.16
,313,000.00

494,032.23

540,555.91
394,395.19
62 424 95
326^000.06— $48,918,515.11
1,881,881.71

CASH ASSETS, January 1, 1883 $50,800,396.82

Appropriated as follows:

Adjusted losses, due subsequent to January 1, 1883 $351,451.21

Reported losses, awaiting proof, &c 138,970.23

Matured endowments, due and unpaid, (claims not presented) 53,350.43

Annuities, due and unpaid (uncalled for) 6,225.86

Reserved for re-insurance on existing policies; participating insurance

at 4 per cent. Carlisle net premium; non-participating at 5 per cent.

Carlisle net premium 43,1 74,402.78

Reserved for contingent liabilities to Tontine Dividend,

Fund, January 1, 1882, over and above a 4 per cent.

reserve on existing policies of that class $2,054,244.03

Addition to the Fund during 1882 for surplus and matured

reserves 1,109 966.00

$3,164,210.03
DEDUCT—
Returned to Tontine policy-holders during the year on

Matured Tontines 1,072,837.87

Balanceof Tontine Fund January 1,1883 2,091,372.16

Reserved for premiums paid in advance 35,782.36

* $45,851,555.03

! JDtvisiole Surplus at 4 per cent *T 4,948,841.79

Surplus Toy the New York State Standard at Q per ct., estimated at 10,000,000.00

From the undivided surplus of $4,948,841 the Board of Trustees has declared a Reversionary dividend
to participating policies in proportion to their contribution to surplus, available on settlement of next
annual premium.

During the year 12,178 policies have been issued, insuring $41,325,520.

Number of
Policies in force

Jan. 1, 1879,45,005.
Jan. 1,1880,45,705.
Jan. 1, 1881,48,548.
Jan. 1, 1882, 53,927.
Jan. 1, 1883, 60,150.

Death-

, claims

paid

1878, $1,687,676.

1879, 1,569,854.

1880, 1,731,721.

1881, 2,013,203.

1882, 1,955,292.

Income

from
Interest

1878, $1,948,665.

1879, 2,033,650.

1880, 2,317,889,

1881, 2,432,654.

1882, 2,798,018.

Jan. 1, 1879, $125,232,144.

Amount I Jan. 1, 1880, 127,417,763.

< Jan. 1,1881, 135,726,916.

at risk j Jan. 1, 1882, 151,760,824.

I Jan. 1,1883, 171,415,097.

„. .... I Jan. 1,1879, $2,811,436.

Divisible i Jan. 1,1880, 3,120,371.
Surplus at { Jan. 1, 1881, 4,295,096.
4 r.pr Pon+ / Jan- 1. 1882, 4,827,036.
* per ° ent - ( Jan. 1, 1883, 4,948,841.

MORRIS FRANKLIN,
WM. H. APPLETON,
WILLIAM BARTON,
WILLIAM A. BOOTH,
H. B. CLAFLIN,
JOHN M. FURMAN,

TRUSTEES:

DAVID DOWS,
HENRY BOWERS,
LOOMIS L. WHITE.
ROBERT B. COLLINS,
S. S. FISHER,
CHAS. WRIGHT, M. D.,
WILLIAM H. BEERS,

EDWARD MARTIN,
JOHN MAIRS,
HENRY TUCK, M. D.,
ALEX. STUDWELL.
R. SUYDAM GRANT,
ARCHIBALD H. WELCH.

IHEODOEE M. BANTA, Cashier.

D. O'DELL, Superintendent of Agencies.

CHARLES WRIGHT, M. D.. I Medica , Ex _ miners .

HENRY TUCK, M.D., >

MORRIS FRANKLIN,

President,
WILLIAM H. BEERS,

Vice-President and Actuary.

1833. MODEL, WORKING 1883.

TOY ENGINES AND FIGURES.

We send Engine, Figures, Pulleys, Belt, etc., all

Complete as per cut, and in working order, by mail

for $L50. Our 1833 complete Catalogue, 192 large

pages, 4,000 illustrations, by mail, 25c.

PECKJfe SNYDER,

12f>-130 Nassau £St., New York.

HENDERSON'S SPECIAL REFRACTORY COMPOUNDS.

SUBSTITUTES FOEL FIRE BRICK.

Costs less than common red brick. Practically infusible. Can be made in any locality where sand Is found. No
capital for machinery necessary. Any one can handle them. Repairs made by same material. Specially a advan-
tageous for Iron, Steel, Silver, and Lead Smelting Works ; also for inner walls of FIREPROOF B IJIliDI NGS.
For particulars of manufacture and license to use, apply to JAMES HENDERSON, Hell efonte, Penn.

poors NEW [RON blower-

POSITIVE BIiASa

IRON REVOLVERS, PERFECTLY BALANCED,

Has Fewer Parts than any other Blower.
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Manufacturers,

CONNERSVILLE, IND.

S. S. TOWNSEND, Gen. Agt.,e Cortland St., 8 DeySt,,

COOKE & CO., Selling Agts., 6 Cortland Street,

JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agts. 8 Dey Street,

WE-VV TOHK.

SEND FOR PRICED CATALOGUE.

PAT. KEY SEAT CUTTER

WILL CUT 100 SEATS +/ z X 5 /s INCH

VS VOL. ^-5. NS 5. 18! ■ .

TREVORS C0,L0CKP0RT,NY.

PATENT

Self- Oiling Loose Pulley.

Fully tested by several years' use and found reliable.
SATISFACTORY RESULTS

fiaranteed, if directions are followed. Orders filled fox
ulleys from 6 in. to :.'0 in. diameter.

LANE & BODLEY CO.,

CINCINNATI, OHIO,

MANUFACTUKEHS

Shafting, Steam Engines, Boilers,
SAW MILLS, AM) GENERAL MACHINERY.

THE COMMON SENSE DRT KILN.

In solving the true principle of seasoning, extracting
the sap from the center by suctions rapid circulation or
air, with moderate heat, we offer the cheapest kiln in
construction, quickest in operation, and perfect in re-
sults. Prevents checks, warp, or hardened surface.

ST. AliBANS M'F'G CO., St. Albans, Vt.

FOF^ ILLUSTRATED

AcO E BRASS MFg. Go 'A

pRASis torrington.— :C0NN. •y/|R£'

r.nBPr R MATERIALS f- R METALLIC. AND

i*r ■.Hr^*M*fe'^^«^r(''. BLANKS

THE SEIBERT CYLINDER OIL CUP CO.,

Sole Manufacturers of
Oil Cups for liocomo-
tives, Ularine and Sta-
tionary Engine Cylin-
ders, under the Seibert
and (jates Patents, witli
Sight Feed.

TAKE NOTICE.

The "Sight Feed" is
owned exclusively by this
compa ny. See Judge Low-
ell's decision in the United
States Circuit Court, Dis-
trict of Massachusetts, Feb.
23, '82. All parties are here-
by notified to desist the use,
manufacture, or sale of
same, as we shall vigorous-
ly pursue and prosecute all
infringers.

THE SEIBERT CYLINDER OIL CUP CO.,
53 Oliver Street, Boston? Masd.

ERICSSON'S

New Caloric Pipe Elgin

FOR

J>WEMilNGS AND COUNTRY SEATS.

Simplest cheapest, and most economical pumping engine
for domestic purposes. Any servant girl can operate.
Absolutely safe. Send for circulars and price lists.

DELAMATER IRON WORKS

C. H. DELAMATER & CO., I'l oplietols,

No. 10 Cortlandt Street, New York, N. Y.

4 VERTICALENGINES f

.% THE BEST IN THE MARKF.T \.
'> AT REASONABLE PRICES ' >." i
f' MANUFACTURED Br \

LP™!^!X njMmw* machine col

!^t SYRACUSE.N.r %

$66

a week in your own town. Terms and $5 outfit
free. Address H. Hallet& Co., Portland, Me.

50

Elegant large chromos, no 2 alike, name on, 10c. pre-
sent with each order. O. A. Brainard, Higganum, Ct.

IT DAVC to sell our Hand Rubber Stamps.
II rA 10 pies free. ™ "~ ~"

, . Sam-
Foljambe & Co., Cleveland, O.

THE BIGGEST THING 0UT I, »ft?«*

(new) E. NASON & CO., Ill Nassau St., New Fork.

Agents Wanted
Sells Rapidly,
Particulars free

CI4SI5®

8. M. Spencer
,112 Wash'n St.,
Boston, Mass.

* THE STAR FIUNTIHG CO., Northford. Conn., *

one of the oldest Card Printing Establishmentsin the State,
continue to give their agents thelareeat commissions and send Out
thechoIcestStyles of Chromo and Beveled Edge Cards. Send
10c for our New pack of Elegant Chromo Cards, Perfect

Beauties. Send 25 cents for Agents' Sample Book and
At- reduced Price List. Blank Cards at Wholesale. «

Uf A || T C I) t° lease, for aterm of years. In New York
If H H I [II City or vicinity, a large ana substantial
factory— building with Kronnd not less than 800x800.

Address P, Q- Box 8468, New York.

1 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC

126

Sftitutitit %mtxxan.

[February 24, 18%.

'Mvtxiittmtvxs.

Inside Page, each insertion - - - 75 cents a line.
Hack Patre. each insertion - - - $1.00 a line.

(About eight words to a line.i
Engravings may head advertisements at the same rate
per line, by measurement, as the letter presf>. Adver-
tisements must be received at publication office as early
as Thursday morning to appear in next issue.

PATENT

JACKET KETTLES,

Plain or Porcelain Lined. Tested to 100 lb.
pressure. Bendf or Lists.

JAMBS C. HAND & CO.,
614 and 616 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa.

ENGINES, BOILERS, STEAM PUMPS, AND PLAN-
ing Mill .Machinery for Sale. O. B. Goodwin, Oil City, Pa.

FOR SALE.-VAI.ITABI E PATENT.

Send .for circular. F. S. STEVENS, Minneapolis, Minn

BLISS'S AMERICAN WONDER PEA.

Extra Early, VeryDwarf (8 to 10 inches), Be-
quires no Basiling:, Exquisite Flavor.

Acknowledged by all to be the beat aod earliest Pea grown.

CAUTION.— As there is another Pea iu the market called
''American Wonder," send to us and get the genuine Bliss's Amer-
ican Wonder.

Prices.— Half pint package, 25 cents; plot, 45 cents; quart,
80; by mall, post-paid.

B. K. BLISS & SONS'

HAND BOOK for the FARM & GARDEN.

300 BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS
TVith a richly colored plate of a Group of Carnations, and a descrip-
tive priced list of 2,000 varieties of Fiiweb and Vegetable seeds —
wHhmuch useful Information upon their culture — 150 pages — mailed
to all applicants e "closing 6 cents.

Our Illustrated Novelty Sheet, containing a description
of nil (he Novelties of the season, mailed free to all applicants.

Itllgg's Illustrated Potato Catalogue, containing a lis;
ef 500 varieties Potatoes, with explicit directions for culture — 50
pages, 10 cents. '

B. K. BLISS «fc SONS, 84 Barclay Street, New To-'

TO MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF
SPRING KEYS AND COTTERS.

I have a patent on article superior t o either, which I
will sell. Will also sell patent on the simplest, most

durable, and fastest working device ever made for bend-
ing cotters and flat keys, a ddress

Wi-LLARD H. FOX. New Haven, Ct.

JENKINS PATENT VALVES

GATE, GLOBE, ANGLE, CHECK, AND SAFETY.

Manufactured of Best Steam. Metal.
We claim the following advantages over all other Valves and Gauge Cocks now in use:

1. A perfectly tight Valve under any and all pressures of steam, oils, or gases.

2. Sand or grit of any kind will not injure the seat.

3. You do not have to take them off to repair. them.

4. They can be repaired by any mechanic in a few minutes.

5. The elasticity of the Disk allows it to adapt itself to an imperfect surface.

In Valves having ground or metal seats, should sand or grit get upon the seat it is impossi-
ble to make them tight except by regrinding, which is expensive if done by hand, and if
done by machine soon wears out the valve ; and in most cases they have to be disconnected
from the pipes, o rten costing more than a new valve.

The Jenkins Disk used in these Valves is manufactured under our 1880 Patent, and will
stand 200 lb. steam. Sample orders solicited. All Valves sold by us are warranted and are
stamped. Jii:i«K.f]VS BROS.,

71 John Street, New York. Send for Price List A. 79 Kilby Street, Boston.

ROCK BREAKERS AND ORE CRUSHERS.

We manufacture and supply at short notice and lowest rates, Stone and Ore Crushers con-
taining the invention described in Letters Patent, issued to Eli W.Blake. June 15th. 1858, togeth-
er with New and Valuable Impuovlm kxts, for which Letters Patent were granted May 11th
and July aOth, 1880. to Mr. S. L. Marsden A 11 Crushers supplied by us are constructed under
the superintendence of Mr. Marsden, who, for the past fifteen years, has been connected with
the manufacture of Blake Crushers in this country and England.

FARREL, FOUNDRY AND MACHINE CO., lYIanufrs., Ansonin, Conn.
COPELAND & BACON, Agents, New York.

The fact that this shafting has 75 per cent, greater
strength, a finer finish, and is truer to gauge, than any
otherin use renders it undoubtedly the most economical.
We are also the sole manufacturers of the C kl kbrat ed
Collins' Pat.COltpling, and furnish Pulleys, Hangers,
etc., of the most approved styles. Price list mailed on
application to JONES & LAUGHLJNS,

Try Street, 2d and 3d Avenues, Pittsburg, Pa.
Corner Lake and Canal Sts., Chicago, 111.
JST" Stocks of this shafting in store and for sale by
FULLER, DANA & FITZ, Boston, Mass.
Geo. Place Machinery Agency, 121 Chambers St., if. Y.

The "MONITOR/'

A NEW LIFTING AND NON-
LI FTINGl INJECTOR.

WA.I'HA.W tfe

Best Boiler Feeder

m the world.

Greatest Range

yet obtained. Does

not Break under

Sudden Changes of

Steam Pressure.

A Imi Patent

EJECTORS

OR

Water Elevators,

For Conveying
Water and Liquid.

Patent Ollerp., Lu-
bricators, etc.
13 HE "ST I- TJ S,

send ior cataiogm. 92 & 94 Liberty St., New York.

BOGAT1DUS' PATENT UNI^lHsAL EDCKN-
TRIC MILLS— For minding Bones, Ores, Sand, Old
Crucibles, Fire Clay Guanos, Oil Cake r Feed, Corn.
Corn and Cob, Tobacco, Snuff, Sugar, Salts, Roots,
Spices, Coffee, Cocoanut, Flaxseed, Asbestos, Mica,
etc., and whatever cannot be ground by other mills,
Also for Paints, Printers' Inks, Paste Blacking, etc.
JOHN W. THOMSON, successor to JAMBS BOGAR
DUS, corner of White and Elm Sts., New York.

EVAPORATING, FRUIT

Treatise on improved methods
SENT FREE. Wonderful results.
Tables of Yields, Prices, Profits,
and General Statistics. Address

AMERICAN MAJflF'G CO.,
Waynesboro, Pa.

* f^

American FrvitDrier.

[[EAGLE ANVILS. 1843.

Solid CAST STEEL Face and Horn. Are Fully War-
ranted. Retail Price, 10 cts. per lb.

COLUMBIA BICYCLE.

This easy running, staunch, and du-
rable roadster is the favorite with
riders, and is confidently guaranteed
as the best value for the money at-
tained in a Bicycle. Send 3c. stamp
for 36-page Catalogue, containing price
list and full information.

THE POPE IH'F'G CO..

597 Washington St., Boston, Mass.

Steel Castings

From M to 15,000 lb. weight, true to pattern, of unequaled
strength, toughness, and durability. 20.0IX) Crank Shafts
and lo,000 Gear Wheels of this steel now running prove
its superiority over other Steel Castings Send for

circular and price list.
CHESTER

EEL CASTINGS CO.,

407 Library St., Philadelphia, Pa.

The Mines of the Carolinas Use
VanPnKen's Patent Steam Jot Puntp.
Far superior to any other Jet Pump for
practical service. Made of Brass; has
no valves, no moving parts, no small
openings. Will pump Dirty. Sandy,
Gritty, Hot, or Cold Water. Will raise
water t o 50 feet vertically. Can be used
withhose. w arranted reliableandsatis-
factory. Prices from $7 up. Capacities
300 to 20,000 gal. per hour. Demand this
pump and take no cheap substitute.
Send for l ' Catalogue No. 49."

VAN DUZEN & TIFT, Cincinnati, O.

AUTOMATIC DAMPER REGULATORS AND WEIGHTED CAGE COCKS.

In extensive and successful use by the best concerns in the country. They have no equals. Liberal discounts to
the trade. Send for Circulars and Price Lists. MURR1LL & KEIZEK, 28, 30, 32 Holhday Street, Baltimore, Md .

My Vegetable and Flower Seed Catalogue for

1H8S will be sent FREE to all who apply. Customers of
last season need not write for it. All seed sent from my
establishment warranted to be both fresh and true to name,
so far, that should it prove otherwise, I agree to refill the
order gratis. My collection of vegetable seed is one of
the most extensive to be found in any American catalogue,
and a large part of it is of my own growing. As the
original Introducer of Early Ohio and Burbank
Potatoes, Marblehead Early Corn, the Hubbard
Squash, Marblehead Cabbage, Fhinney's Melon,
and a score of other new Vegetables, I invite the patron-
age of the public. In the gardens and on the farms of
those who plant my seed will be found my best advertise-
ment. James J. H. Gregory, Marblehead, Mass.

g>ir' 1 CATALOGUE SENT fr\Lt v|

■ft] GEO.C.M0RGAN &C0.MANFRS.
: j!l(?/ 16 MAJOR BLK.CHICAG0V5

H.W.J0HHS'

ASBSSIOS

ASBESTOS ROPE PACKING,

ASBESTOS WICK PACKING,

ASBESTOS FLAT PACKING,
ASBESTOS SHKATHINGS,
ASBESTOS GASKETS,

ASBESTOS BUILDING FELT.
Made of strictly pure Asbestos.

H. W. JOHNS M'F'G CO.,

87 Maiden Lane, New York,

Sole Manufacturers o f H. W. Johns' Genuine

ASUU8TOS LIQUID PAINTS, .ROOK

PAINTS, HOOKING, STEAM PIPE

AND HOIl.Elt COVERINGS,

FIREPROOF COATINGS,

CEMENTS, ETC.

Descriptive price lists and samples free.

B T E H ^THE«Efli>WATCHCASE

WM. A. HARRIS.

PROVIDENCE, R. I. (PARK STREET),

Six minutes walk vvest from station .
Original ami Only builder of the

HA-ltitlS-COllLlNS ENGINE

With

Harris' Patented Improvements*
from 10 to 1.000 H. P.

JOf I N HOLLAND, 19 W. 4 th St., Cincinnati, O.,

Manufacturer of all styles of Hest Quality Gold
Pens. Pen and Pencil Cases, Gold Toothpicks, etc.

Our pens received the highest award at Philadelphia
Exposition '* for great elasticity and general excellence."
See judges' report, published by Lippincott & Co.

For sale by the trade. Illustrated lists mailed free.

Pyrometers,

For showing heat of
Ovens, Hot B ! ast Pipes,
Boiler Flues, Superheated Steam, Oil Stills, etc.
HENRY W. BULKLBY. Sole Manufacturer.

149 Broadway, New York.

At Low Prices, I-nrtte Assorted Stock.
A. £ fcVlIROWN, 43 Park Place, New V«

York,

Portable
Electric
Lighter.

PRICE, S5.0O.

A scientific and economical apparatus for lighting;
patented in the United States, May 27, 1879, and May 26,
1882; complete In itself; requires no extra power, the
electric current being generated by chemical action.

Portable Electric Lighter with
BTJUG-LiiLJl. AIjARM.

Price $ 1 0.OO. W e make attachments 'by means of
which our Electric Lighter can be converted into a re-
liable Burglar Alarm, confronting the trespasser with
light and alarm bell at the same instant.

Agents wanted all over the country. Liberal discounts.
Enclose stamp for circular.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.,
2£ Water St., BoMton, Mass.

Incorporated underthelawsof Massachusetts, Decem-
ber, 1882.

NATIONALT00LC0.,

MANUFACTURERS or

MACHINISTS TOOLS.

WILLI AM SPORT PA.,-
PLANERS A SPECIALTY.

320 ACRES FREE!

^^ ■■ ^^ —IN THE—

Devils Lake, Turtle Mountain,

And Mouse River Country,

NORTH DAKOTA,

Tributary to the United States Land Office at

GRAND FORKS, DAKOTA.

SECTIONAL MAP and FULL particulars mailed
FREE to any address by

H. C. DA VIS,

Assistant General Passenger Agent,

St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba R, R,

ST. PAUL, MINN.

UPRIGHT DRILLS 16-60 INCH SWING- IL
BORING BURNING MILLS

Best Boiler and Pipe Covering Made !

TOSWING 48.66 c<84 INCHES

CINCINNATI. OHIO-

H.BICKFORD

The Celebrated Patent
Air Space

COVEEIWG

For STEAM BOILERS and PIPES, HOT BLAST PIP-
ING, etc., etc. Address CHA I.MERS SPENCE CO.,
23 John Sti-eet, New York.

ICE MAKING MACHINES,

And Machines for Cooling Breweries, Pork Packing Estab-
lishments, Cold Storage Warehouses, Hospitals, etc.

SEND FOR. ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE CIRCULARS.

PIGTET ARTIFICIAL ICE GO. (Limited),

P. O. Box 3083.

142 Greenwich St., New York City, N. Y.

NEW YORK BELTING AND PACKING COMP'Y.

The Oldest and Largest Manufacturers of the Original

SOTLmIT> vulcanite

EMERY WHEELS.

All other kinds Imitation* and Inferior. Our name is stamped in full upon all our
standard BELTING. PACKING, and HOSE.

Address NEW YORK BELTING AND PACKING CO.,
, JOHN H. CHEEVKR. Tl-eas. !>9 PARK ROW, NEW YORK.

BmeryWneel. speciai. btotiCE.

Owing to the recent great fire in the "World" Building, our ofliec has been removed as above.

KORTING UNIVERSAL

DOUBLE TUBE.

INJECTOR

FOR BOILER FEEDING.
'Operated by one handle.

WILL LIFT HOT WATER.

POSITIVE ACTION GUARANTEED UNDER
ALL CONDITIONS.

NO ADJUSTMENT FOR VARYING STEAM PRESSURE.

WILL LIFT WATER 25 FEET. SEND FOR DESCRIPTIVE CIRCULAR.

OFFICES AND WAREROOMS:

PHILADA 1 ., 12TH & THOMPSON STS. NEW YORK, 109 LIBERTY ST.

BOSTON, 7 OLIVER ST. CHICAGO, 84 MARKET ST.

AUGUSTA, GA., 1026 FENWICK ST. ST. LOUIS, MO., 709 MARKET ST.

DENVER, COL., 194 FIFTEENTH ST. SAN FRANCISCO, 2 CALIFORNIA ST.
RICHMOND, VA., 1419 MAIN ST.

HARTFORD

STEAM BOILER
Inspection & Insurance

COMPANY.

\V. B. FRANKLIN.V. Pres't. J.M.ALLEN. Pres't,
J. IS. PIERCE. Sec'v.

ROCK DRILLS & AIR COMPRESSORS

a INCERSOLL ROCK DRILL CO.,

1 PARK (PLACE NEW YORK.

SPEAKING TELEPHONES.

nn<: uikiiuw inxL tixitiiou; company,

W. H. FoitBES, W. R. Driver, Thko. N. Va il,
.President. Treasurer. Gen. Manager.

Alexander Graham Hell's patent of March 7, 1876,
owned by this company, covers every form of apparatus,
including Microphones or Carbon Telephones, in which
the voice of the speaker causes electric undu'ations
corresponding to the words spoken, and which articula-
tions produce similar articulate sounds at the receiver
The Commissioner of Patentsandthe IT. S. Circuit Court
have decided this to be the true meaning of his claim;
the validity of the patent has been sustai ned in the Cir,
cuiton final hearingin a contested case, and many in.
junctions and final decrees have been obtained on them,

This company also owns and controls all the othe*
telephonic inventions of Bell, Edison, Berliner, Gray,
Blake. Phelps, Watson, and others.

(Descriptive catalogues forwarded on application.!

Telephones for Private Line, Club, and Social systems
can be procured directly or through the authorized
agents of the company.

All telephones obtained except from this company, oj
its authorized licensees, are infringements, and the
makers, sellers, and users will be proceeded against.

Information furnished upon apnlication.

Address all communications to the
AMERICAN m.l.LTKl.KI'HOXK COMPANY,
95 Milk Street. Boston, IHass.

For 1883 is an Elegnnt Book of 150 pages, »
Colored Plates of Flowers and Vegetables, and
more than 1,000 Illustrations of the choicest
Flowers, Plants, and Vegetables, and Directions for
growing. It is handsome enough for the Center Table
or a Holiday Present. Send on your name and Post
Office address, with 10 cents, and I will send you a copy,
postage paid. This .is not a quarter of its cost. It ia
printed in both English and German. If you afterward
order seeds, deduct the 10 cents.

Vick's Seeds are the Rest in the World!
The Floral Guide will tell how to get and grow them,

Vlck'a Flower and Vegetable Garden, 175 Pujres,
6 Colored Plates, 500 engravings. For 50 cents in papel
covers ; $1.00 in elegant cloth. In German or English.

Vlek's Illustrated Monthly Magazine, 82 pages, a Col.
ored Plate in every number, and many fine Engravings,
Price $1.25 a year: Five Copies for $5.00. Specimen
Numbers sent for 10 cents ; 3 trial copiea for 25 cents.

JAMES VICK,

Rochester, N. T.

FOR 1883.
The Most Popnlar Scientific Paper in the World.

Only S3. 20 it Year, including postage. Weekly.
52 Numbers a Year.

This widely circulated and splendidly illustrated
paper is published weekly. Every number contains six-
teen pages of useful information, and a large number of
original engravings of new inventions and discoveries,
representing Engineering Works, Steam Machinery,
New Inventions, Novelties in Mechanics, Manufactures,
Chemistry, Electricity, Telegraphy, Photography, Archi-
tecture, Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural History, etc.

All Classes of Readers find in the Scientific
American a popular resume of the best scientific in-
formation of the day ; and it is the aim of the publishers
to present it in an attractive form, avoiding as much as
possible abstruse terms. To every intelligent mind,
this journal affords a constant supply of instructive
reading. It is promotive of knowledge and progress in
every community where it circulates. -

Terms of Subscription.— One copy of the SCIEN-
TIFIC American will be sent for one year— 52 numbers-
postage prepaid, to,any subscriber in the United States
or Canada, on receipt of three dollars and twenty
cents by the publishers; six months, $1.60; three
months, $1.00.

One copy of the Scientific American and one copy
of the Scientific American Supplement will be sent
for one year, postage prepaid, to any subscriber in the
United States or Canada, on receipt of seven dollars by
the publishers.

The safest way to remit is by Postal Order, Draft, or
Express. -Money carefully placed inside of envelopes,
securely sealed, and correctly addressed, seldom goes
astray, but is at the sender's risk. Address all letters
and make all orders, drafts, etc., payable to

2v£-Cr2ST£T <Sg CO.,

26 f Broadway, New York.

PRINTING INKS.

THE " Scientific American " is printed with CHAS.
ENEIT JOHNSON & CO. '8 INK. Tenth and Lom-
bard Sts. Phila., and 47 Rose St., opp. Duaue St., N. Y.

) 1883 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC